While waiting for a final success, the fists were clenched and the atmosphere was still joyful, in a part carried by the junior harmony of Saint-Cécile de Doazit and an audience happy to see his protégés fight to the end. . Against Valence / Condom, the Gers neighbor rather diminished and with nothing to play for, for what was an N1 derby twenty years ago, to say that it was not easy is an understatement, both the commitment and the tension reds penalized them.
The old present
The younger generations can always be inspired by certain elders, exemplary of pugnacity and effort. This was the case from the first quarter, when captain Ausina scored ten points, flanked by his still precise full-back Daudignon, to respond to Uneau who also shook the net, granting the visitors a short header on the scoreboard. (22-23), after ten engaging minutes.
The next ten show some tremors, a palpable tension that prevents the locals from taking over, leaving Trepout and Maggesi with easy baskets. The distant baskets of Barrere and Daudignon did not prevent them from being behind at half-time (39-46), and condemned at that time.
But cheered up, more confident, following the aggressiveness of the Delseries brothers and the smile of the ghost Tauzia, the reds stun the Gersois, while the music takes on a more festive meaning. The Chalossais are in front, but the visitors do not let go.
Ducourneau has already planted two banderillas to start the last quarter, but the thrust is not complete. Popotte and his family are still within reach with three minutes to play, but Ausina, with a dunk to the music of Aviron Bayonnais, ends the match in a summer atmosphere, but not yet maintaining. There will remain one last effort.
The sheet
Hagetmau-Doazit-Chalosse : 79
Valence/Condom 75
Location: Doazit. Referees: MM. Samata and Regio Correia. Quarters 22-23; 17-23; 21-10; 19-19.
HDC : 16 personal fouls, 10 free throws out of 17. The markers : Ducourneau (7 including 2 at three points), Daudignon (14 including 4 at three points), Barrere (6 including 2 at three points), Ausina (cap., 26 including 1 at three points), Nyapeye (9 including 1 at three points), then Lissalt (0), Delseries S. (7), Delseries B. (6 including 1 with three points), Tauzia (4), Darracq (0).
