Agen go down at Racing in a highly entertaining Match

There was seemingly no pressure on our team since we had solidified our stay next season, but in Racing's eyes they would have to score tries and get a bonus point to stay in their #2 spot. This set the tables for a display of running rugby, and that it was. Eleven tries were scored in a match that exhausted the players and entertained the fans. From minute one Racing Metro set the pace of the game, running it out of their own 22m.

Since my last start, 5 weeks ago, there has been a lot of time to think about the season, the team, my position, etc. After Montpellier it seemed everything came together for me, both on and off the field. I'm finding more comfort speaking the language, I'm understanding the game and my positioning at the highest level I've ever felt, and Lauren and I are really enjoying our lives in this small town of Agen. However, I unfortunately didn't get to play after that match until this weekend. With four weeks of feeling supremely ready, it was finally time to show it on the field.

Since December, we really haven't played in a rugby match that was continuous. It has been more like test rugby, in that there are a lot more kicks for territory, and less risk involved. With that in mind, the hot weather and the fact I hadn't played in a match for 5 weeks, my lungs were burning within the first 10 minutes.

In the end I feel I played as well as I felt I could in the preceding 4 weeks. I feel like in any match you play there should be things to fix or mistakes to be had (the fewer the better). If not, then maybe you're playing too conservatively or not getting involved enough, and of course the less likely you played a perfect match. Needless to say I had a few of these moments, but overall I felt like I was highly involved in all facets of the game and did well in the majority of my involvements. I had several nice catch/run/pass actions, good defensive moments, and some nice takes in the air. I'm expressing this because it's been awhile since I've either played or played well with Agen and trust me, when you play well you feel good about it. 

By the end of the game both teams seemed exhausted and little mistakes were turning into big ones. We were able to pull within three points after an excellent intercept pass by our fullback, to make it 34-37 with just 10 minutes left. But Racing needed to score tries and they came firing back quickly. It was just too much for us in the end and they finished the game with two tries (the last with no time and a yellow card to our hooker). A great game for the fans and players alike with the final score 51-34 in favor of the number 2 team in Top 14.

Next weekend there are no matches for the Top 14 as the European semifinals are being played. And then the following weekend we find ourselves at home against Brive in the final match of the season.