After a final which saw the defenses take precedence over the attacks, Oyonnax emerged victorious from their duel against Grenoble (14-3) and is sure to find the Top 14 next season.
Oyonnax did not tremble in the face of the last step. Dominant throughout the regular season and then qualified without style for the Pro D2 final at the expense of Vannes, the Haut-Bugey club managed to get out of a long undecided final against Grenoble to win their fifth title and put end to five years in the antechamber of the Top 14. Joe El Abd’s players got their hands on the ball from the start but were too imprecise on the lawn of the Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse to hope to put the Isère defence. To this was added the clumsiness of the scorers as the quarter of an hour approached. In the space of two minutes, Jules Soulan for the USO then Romain Trouilloud for the FCG missed the target while the conditions were perfect. The defenses clearly took precedence over the attacks in this first period, with two teams neutralizing each other. Half an hour into the game, Oyonnax lost to an ankle injury to Phoenix Battye, immediately replaced by Steve Mafi.
Cassang relieves Oyonnax
Haut-Bugey supporters who made the trip were able to rejoice five minutes from the break. After an interminable streak of possession and upwind play, Charlie Cassang saw a flaw in the Grenoble defensive curtain and rushed into it on the way out of the ruck to flatten the first try of this final, transformed against the posts by Jules Soullan. On the following action, a ball recovered very high by Romain Barthélémy allowed Romain Trouilloud to escape on the right wing. However, the FCG attack did not go well then Pio Muarua committed a forward, returning the ball to Oyonnax, who was able to find his locker room with a very narrow margin. Back to the wall, the Grenoble players took the initiative as soon as play resumed but, again, they fell on the iron defense of the Oyonnax club. The latter, however, failed to seize the opportunities to add to the bill when they presented themselves. Twelve minutes after the restart, Jules Soulan once again missed the target on penalty before failing a third time on the hour mark.
Grenoble has not lost everything
Both teams sent fresh blood onto the lawn and Grenoble finally saw the light. In the 63rd minute, after a foul from the Oyonnax defense, Thomas Fortunel showed up 40 meters full axis and did not hesitate to score the first three… but also the last points for Grenoble in this final. In cruel lack of efficiency in attack, Fabien Gegenbacher’s players broke their teeth. At the very last minute, the USO put an end to the little suspense that remained in Toulouse. After a carried ball stopped on the line, Aurélien Callandret was able to bring the ball out to reach the corner goal with a welcome dive. After the transformation of Justin Bouraux, all of Oyonnax was able to celebrate this victory (14-3) and this title of French Pro D2 champion. If the USO is now guaranteed to find the Top 14 next season, all is not over for the FCG. Indeed, the Isérois will have a second chance from next weekend, on their lawn at the Stade des Alpes during the “Access Match” against the 13th of the Top 14, that is to say Pau or Perpignan.