Certainly, there were a little fewer people in the stands than usual, a little more in the weighing. Nevertheless, it was a very important match which took place just before the first act of the pros. A curtain-raiser match for the CAB Crabos team, which played against Provence Rugby on the “honorary ground”.
The “fear of doing wrong” in front of the supporters
A real innovation, since this had not happened for several years. “When we were in Crabos, says Enzo Hervé, who arrived at the club in 2013 with the Crabos, we played on the playground and we didn’t have much chance to play at the Stadium before a Top 14 match”. Today, the SASP and the City of Brive have authorized this possibility and allowed the match to take place. Precursors or not, the Crabos won 42 to 33 over Provence Rugby.
At the final whistle, Mayeul Duboisset, manager of the Crabos, remains surrounded by the players for a long time. _”We needed to talk about the second half in particular, which was not as good as the first, but also about the context”says the educator. This first match on the main pitch was a moment of great pressure for Mathis Ferté.“There was a bit of apprehension, the fear of doing badly…and the desire to play a big game, in front of the fans and for the classification”_ says the young scrum-half.
Don’t get carried away after this game
A first big pressure for the 18-year-old rugby player, who signed a Espoir contract this week. Although he wants to keep “humility because there is a lot of work”, it is also a reward for his career in rugby, which he has been practicing since the age of 4. _”I started in Luzech, not far from Cahors, at home. I then went to U10 in Cahors before being recruited in Cadets in Brive.”A great story for the one who was a supporter of the club. “I had family here in Brive, it’s my heart club” adds the young man who will therefore continue his adventure here. He even had the chance to train for a week with the pros some time ago.
There too, it was a big pressure, by his admission. “Had to show a good impression and that I had the level” explains the athletic scrum-half. “I learned the day before the first training session, on Sunday, that I was going to train with the pros. The same evening, I was going to Brive”. There is “discovered another world, demanding, schedules…” but always “with much joy and excitement”. He met Enzo Hervé, who also arrived at this level in Brive. “If they don’t mess up, they’ll be with us soon“adds, with a smile on his face, the pro opener.
The Crabos leader of the championship alongside Massy and Grenoble
Mathis Ferté knows that there is still a long way to go. His educators, like Mayeul Duboisset, know it too. However, this weekend of experiences is a “beautiful reward” for a solid group. The Brive Crabos are indeed first in the standings with Massy and Grenoble, their two future opponents. They may play the finals. In the meantime, Mayeul Duboisset is proud of his group: “you should know thatthey make, with their family, sacrifices. They live different lives, go to school and train ten to twelve hours a week. For their families and educators, it is a reward” explains the trainer.
In the meantime, the memories will remain engraved for life in the heads of these fellows. Only regret – which is not one in the end – the absences in particular of Léo Carbonneau and Tom Raffy. Two young players who have been invited by the France under-18 team. The French won over Italy 49 to 33 with 5 of the 7 conversions made by Tom Raffy.