It was their last chance to avoid relegation. Let’s put an end to the suspense right away, the rugby players of Union Cognac Saint-Jean-d’Angély have succeeded. After a difficult, up and down season, UCS, penultimate at kick-off, played everything for everything this Sunday, May 8 against Chambéry, 5th in the standings. After a close match, the UCS finally won 33 to 27, which allowed them to save themselves. But that was not enough, the players did not have their whole destiny in hand this Sunday.
They can thank Dax
For the miracle to take place, it was also necessary that Aubenas, competitor of the Union Cognac Saint-Jean-d’Angély in this bottom of the table, fall against Dax. Which it was, but in the very last moments, after a penalty from the Landais in stoppage time. They finally won 25 to 23 and therefore send Aubenas to the lower level.
After such a season, there are lessons to be learned
Next season, the UCS will therefore still be in National, a relief in particular for its president Christophe Lacombe, who did not fail to relieve the pressure after the final whistle: “I do not hide from you that we had thought about the descent in a small committee. We had started to project ourselves. But fortunately, _this plan B, we can forget it._”
After an evening of celebration, from this Monday, the president and his teams will get back to work: “After such a season, there are lessons to be learned. There are bound to be things to correct. We have work to do.”
At the top of the standings, Soyaux Angoulême will go directly to the semi-finals after their 25-13 victory at Bourgoin Jallieu.