Provence Rugby secured yet another impressive victory at home, defeating Valence-Romans 34-24 during the latest Pro D2 match held at Stade Maurice-David on December 20, 2024. The match marked the end of the first half of the season and saw the Provençaux maintain their perfect home record.
Throughout the first half, Provence Rugby dominated the game, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical efficiency. They started strong, scoring five tries before the break, led by standout performances from player Joseph Laget, who opened and closed the scoring for the team. The first try came quickly for Provence, with Laget marking his territory as early as the third minute, followed closely by tries from his teammates.
Valence-Romans struggled significantly against the onslaught of the Provençaux, particularly during the first 30 minutes, where they conceded multiple tries due to defensive lapses. Coach Fabien Fortassin expressed disappointment post-match about his team’s inability to start the game strongly, highlighting the necessity of consistency across the entire match.
Despite facing challenging conditions, including strong winds, Provence's management said they capitalized on their home advantage. Mauricio Reggiardo, the manager of Provence Rugby, noted the effectiveness of their strategy and the performance of their players, stating, “The first half was very good, and we knew we had to keep the pressure on.”
Though the first half saw Provence pull away with ease, Valence-Romans showed resilience after the halftime break, starting the second half with intent. This change of momentum allowed them to score their first try just minutes after the resumption, igniting hopes for their supporters.
Valence-Romans' Kabir Mawalu and Dorian Marco-Pena each contributed tries, exhibiting the skill and determination needed to close the gap. The Drômois put on a spirited performance during these latter stages of the match, creating opportunities and showcasing tactical improvements, though they still fell short.
Even as they mounted pressure, leading to moments where they nearly claimed another try for bonus points, the Damiers could not convert their efforts. Their captain, Matthieu Vachon, spoke of the frustration felt by the team, acknowledging, “There was much frustration and regret at the end of the match... we reacted as we wanted, but we're not passed close enough to claim what we aimed for.”
Provence rugby maintained their physicality and preserved their lead throughout the match, with each team exchanging penalties and tries amid heightened tension. The closing minutes were frenetic as Valence-Romans sought to reduce the score, coming desperately close to scoring again, resulting in video reviews for potential tries which did not pass the scrutiny.
Despite the solid effort from Valence-Romans to claw back, they finished the match still reflecting on the first half's struggles. The match concluded with Provence Rugby celebrating their victory, which ensured their continued stay near the top of the Pro D2 standings as they approach the Christmas break.
After the game, Team Zafra Tarazona from Provence Rugby noted, “We started well but made it harder for ourselves late. Had we not allowed them to score easily, we might have avoided the pressure.”
Valence-Romans now face the challenge of regrouping as they have now positioned themselves close to the relegation zone, needing to build on the positives they found during parts of the match. Their manager highlighted their inconsistency as pivotal as they look forward to the next match against Colomiers, which could define their season going forward.
The encounter exhibited how dynamic and unpredictable rugby can be, where initial dominance does not guarantee victory, as the resilience of Valence-Romans nearly turned the tide. Fans can expect both teams to return energized after the break, ready to tackle the second half of the season with renewed vigor.
