Lunel, undefeated at home all last season, had to work hard to defeat a valiant team from the French Riviera. The slim score of 8 to 7 for the Hérault team reflects the nature of the match. A red card and a yellow card for each side, typical skirmishes, and inaccurate kickers… In short, all the elements of a “small” match for a small score.
Grasse, the leading club from the Alpes-Maritimes in the rugby hierarchy, traveled to Lunel, a team experienced in the bouts of Fédérale 1 and where it is very difficult to win. Grasse had to redeem themselves at all costs after their heavy defeat last week in Aubenas (31-3). Grasse reassured their supporters. The rugby players from the Riviera resisted the pressure from the yellow and black of Lunel for the first fifteen minutes. It wasn’t until the 20th minute that the visitors crossed the halfway line.
It was then thought that RO Grasse had weathered the storm but RO Lunel pressed the accelerator. A textbook play launched from the lineout, four setups right in the heart of the red and blue defense, then a pass to the unguarded wing and the winger dives into the in-goal for a try in the corner. The first real action of the match and the first try, unconverted. Lunel 5, Grasse 0.
It was the only highlight of the first half. The game becomes choppy. Both teams are tense: Lunel not used to being challenged at home and Grasse sensing a possible upset. The referee tries to calm the fervor but a general brawl, just before half-time, breaks out. A yellow card for each side and a red for the center from Hérault. The referee sends everyone to the locker rooms. 5 to 0 for Lunel at the break.
Grasse returns to the field with increased motivation. In numerical superiority, the forwards from the Riviera, pushed around in the first half, in turn rough up their counterparts from Hérault. Lunel is rightly penalized for irregularities in the closed scrum, but the Riviera kicker is not successful. Grasse continues their pressure and camps in the opponent’s 50 meters.
At 60 minutes, at the peak of the Riviera’s domination, perhaps the turning point of the game: the prop from Grasse takes justice into his own hands. Red card. Both teams are down to 14 against 14.
Ten minutes later, the Hérault fly-half converts a penalty. 8 to 0 for Lunel. The match seems to be decided, but that counts without the combativeness of the Grassois. We play the last five minutes. ROG deploys a wide action, a kick over the top into the 22 meters, the ROG center beats the Lunel full-back and scores a try in the corner. Try converted. 8 to 7 for Lunel.
Two 50-meter penalties are blown in the last moments. The Riviera full-back has the win at his feet in stoppage time but fails twice. The upset was so close. Lunel wins 8 to 7.
Grasse can hold their heads high from this encounter. Grasse has reassured and shown that last week’s heavy defeat was just an accident. The season is just beginning. By repeating this kind of performance away from home, the Grassois will undoubtedly clinch a victory in an upcoming away game.
Vincent Trinquat