MONTFORT-LE-GESNOIS, France – Arnage Mulsanne secured a crucial 5-3 victory over Lucé in National 3 badminton action on Saturday, March 14, 2026, propelling them into second place in the league standings. The match, unexpectedly relocated to Montfort-le-Gesnois due to elections at the team’s usual Mulsanne gymnasium, drew a supportive crowd including the co-presidents of the host club, Aurélien Mauté and Florian Esnault.
The win was vital for Arnage Mulsanne, as president David Bessière emphasized pre-match: “We need at least the victory; securing the bonus point for an offensive win would be the icing on the cake.” Despite a tight contest and the late addition of Titouan Vitrai to the lineup after an uncertain week, the team delivered, though falling just short of that bonus point.
The match was characterized by several closely fought sets, with three games extending to a decisive third set. While the women’s matches proved dominant for Arnage Mulsanne, the men’s singles provided the most dramatic moments. Thomas Féty, in particular, battled fiercely in his singles match against Samson, leading 20-15 in the third set, then equalizing at 20-20 and even taking a 21-20 lead before ultimately falling 25-23. This narrow defeat, along with losses in the first mixed doubles and men’s doubles, meant Lucé secured a defensive bonus point.
“We should have done better,” Bessière conceded after the match, hinting at a post-match debrief to analyze the performance. Despite the slight disappointment of missing the offensive bonus point, the victory was enough to move Arnage Mulsanne into a strong position in the league.
The team’s current standing is further bolstered by Tours’ draw against the league leaders, Saint-Jacques. This result allows Marina Lepourreau-Basco, the captain of Arnage Mulsanne, to guide her team to a second-place position heading into a challenging schedule. They will face the top-ranked Saint-Jacques on their home court, followed by a home match against Tours, with the second-place spot firmly on the line in both contests.
Match Results
Here’s a breakdown of the individual match results from Saturday’s contest:
- Double mixte 1: Lemonnier/Rigot – Morteau/Boissy-Pons: 21-18, 16-21, 13-21
- Double mixte 2: Vitrai/Lepourreau-Basco – Samson/Chaineau: 21-1, 21-14
- Simple homme 1: Féty – Samson: 16-21, 21-14, 23-25
- Simple homme 2: Boilet – Morteau: 21-16, 21-16
- Simple dame 1: Moine – Boissy-Pons: 21-11, 21-12
- Simple dame 2: Lepourreau-Basco – Chaineau: 21-5, 21-3
- Double hommes 1: Lemonnier/Vitrai – Samson/Ujhelyi: 21-15, 11-21, 17-21
- Double dames 1: Le Meur/Rigot – Chaineau/Chevalier: 21-5, 21-14
The atmosphere at the Montfort-le-Gesnois gymnasium was noted as positive, with the presence of the local club’s co-presidents, Aurélien Mauté and Florian Esnault, demonstrating solidarity within the badminton community. Mauté commented, “It’s normal to be supportive of fellow badminton players, and it as well allows our members to see badminton at a good level.”
Arnage Mulsanne will now turn their attention to their upcoming matches, knowing that a strong performance against Saint-Jacques and Tours will be crucial in maintaining their position in the league standings. The team’s ability to compete at a high level, even with key players facing uncertainty, demonstrates their resilience and determination as they push for a top finish in National 3.
Fans can follow the team’s progress and find official updates through the league’s official channels. The next few weeks promise to be pivotal for Arnage Mulsanne as they navigate a challenging schedule and strive to solidify their place among the league’s elite.
