With two victories and two defeats under its belt, the Aix UC team is well on its way to remaining in the Top 12, the club’s main objective for this 2025-2026 financial year. Murali Billon’s partners won three weeks ago at home against Union Saint-Bruno de Bordeaux (6-2) and therefore have an eight-point lead over this same team currently ranked last in the group and therefore relegated. This afternoon, facing the Bretons who, for their part, are fighting to reach the play-offs, the equation will not be easy to solve for the Aixois.
In addition, the latter are traveling with only two players (Mariya Mitsova and Juliette Moinard) and will therefore automatically “abandon” the women’s doubles to their opponents, which, unfortunately, should cost them a one-point penalty in the end. Hence the stated objective of seeking, if possible, a draw. Because, apparently, the Aix victory against one of the favorites of the group seems too great a challenge to take on.
Note that on the boys’ side, we will find the same four players: Ronan Labar, Grégoire Deschamp, Yohan Barbieri and Arthur Tatranov. If we add to this reshuffled and reduced team, a trip that looks more like a journey (plane to Nantes, minibus rental and 2h45 journey to reach Rostrenen, a charming little Gallic village in the heart of Brittany), we understand better why the AUC will have difficulty returning from Rostrenen (currently 2nd in the group standings) with victory in their pocket. But, without pressure, without complexes either, Ronan Labar’s partners are capable of anything! “For us, the main thing was to beat Union Saint-Bruno at home, confides team co-captain, Murali Billon, now the rest is just a bonus. We will try to achieve a very good performance in Brittany, to bring back the sharing of points. Which won’t be easy. But, with our “small” team, because we couldn’t bring other players this weekend, we are going to play our card to the fullest. You will have to be at the top and have a good dose of success in key matches. ”
Impossible is never Aixois! Let it be said, the AUC is capable of anything and above all, of achieving an exploit. So why not this afternoon in Rostrenen.
