“Gentlemen, you have made the people of Suresnes proud. THANKS “. On its social networks, RC Suresnes greeted the players of its first team, who ended their season this Saturday in Nice. Beaten 35-13 by the leaders of the regular National phase, David Auradou’s players have no regrets. Nice, at home, was simply stronger for this semi-final of the championship.
The Hauts-de-Seine club started its day with a morning warm-up on the Promenade des Anglais, before heading to the Arboras rugby stadium in a lively atmosphere. The stakes of this clash: qualification for the final, against the winner of the other Narbonne-Carcassonne semi-final. The National champion will move up to Pro D2, his runner-up will play a play-off match against the 15th in Pro D2.
To reach the upper level, the Suresnois, surprising winners of Albi last weekend in the play-off, had to beat Stade Niçois, coached by their former manager Alexandre Compan. No easy feat as the Azuréens dominated the season in the National.
RC Suresnes, however, got off to a good start by scoring the first points on two penalties from their fullback Thomas Baudy (0-6, 6th). But the Niçois quickly woke up, scoring 3 tries in 20 minutes (21-6, 32nd). Despite a Suresnoise reaction before the break, thanks to a try from hooker Jean-Etienne Lesueur, the Greens and Blacks will be subjected to the law of Nice, who score two new tries in the second half.
Stade Niçois is qualified for the final, against Narbonne, next week. RC Suresnes will return to the National with the objective, after this first qualification in the semi-final, of doing even better next season.
