Once again it's been a while since my last blog. To be honest, it's mostly been because I haven't played in the last few matches; since Montpellier in fact. Thankfully that changed this past weekend, and I played a full 80 minutes in a highly entertaining match of rugby against Racing.
Before I get into this past weekend, I'll start with the Castres game, which came the week after our great win against Clermont. This was a match we knew we had to win, but taking down two teams in the top 5 in back to back weeks was going to be quite difficult, even if the games were at home. However, the thing about our team this season, and especially as of late, is when the pressure is on we always surpass expectations.
The match was back and forth in the first half with Agen starting the scoring through the boot of our very steady #10. Shortly after, Castres were on the hunt for their first points, but the referee went upstairs to the video ref and their hopeful try was refused. It was a game of tactics, kicking for territory, up and unders, basically not a lot of running rugby and the rest of the half would show a couple more penalty kicks and a tied game 6-6.
In the second 40 a bit more rugby was being played, which started with Castres going through multiple phase sequences. Within 10 minutes Castres took their first lead through an excellent counter attack try and conversion to make it 13-6. However, over the next 10 minutes Agen found themselves playing with the ball as well, and in back to back succession, we scored two tries within three minutes, also through counter attack opportunities. After the second conversion try hit the posts, the score was 18-13 with 20 long minutes to play. From then on the tight rugby came back and our defense held a strong attacking Castres team for the last quarter. It was always within grasp for the playoff bound team, but they could only leave with a defensive bonus point and the final score was 21-16.
After the win against Castres we were going into La Rochelle with a mindset of "absolutely must-win," and there was no question about it. We were 9 points on top of La Rochelle before the game and if they won, we would only be up 5 points with two games left, definitely not a comfortable place to be. However, if we won, we would be up 13, and guarantee our place in the Top 14 next season.
When the first half started it was nearly the worse start possible. They kicked off and we dropped the ball straight away. They jumped on the mistake and were already on attack in our 22 m. After one phase of play there was an overlap out wide and their flyhalf put up a beautiful cross field kick, which bounced off one of our players and into the hands of one of theirs. Two steps and it was a try. However, the referee went to the video for a second look, and we were saved from putting ourselves in an awfully deep hole early in the game. With only one minute gone by, you could feel the tension in the air and anyone watching knew it was going to be a long, tough fight.
La Rochelle wouldn't leave our end without getting some points however, and hit a penalty just two minutes later to go up 3-0. The penalties wouldn't stop there. In what became a penalty ridden game, we saw a combined 8 or more in the first 15 minutes, four of which were chances at points, and all of which were converted, to make the score 6-6. It was one of the most difficult halves I've seen Agen play, both because of their opponent, but more importantly because of ourselves. Turnovers, penalties, and a yellow card put us on the back foot the entire half. However, we caught a huge break when our fullback put an up-and-under onto their fullback and he bobbled it. Our Captain kicked it forward and recovered it on the one meter line. We were able to go through a few phases before our forwards put together an overpowering display of the pick and go and driving over the try line to score the first try of the match.
Up 13-12 at half, in a half that was poorly played, we felt relieved, to say the least. It was going to be a tough second half, especially after we got our second yellow of the night. We pulled away just enough to feel comfortable after our kicking hit two more penalties to go ahead 19-12. But a charging La Rochelle didn't want to leave this game on the wrong end and they scored a try of their own that tied the game at 19. Just a couple minutes later we got another penalty try and our already perfect kicker on the day, just made it look that much easier, and we had some breathing room again. With both teams playing for their entire next season, the next 5 minutes of normal time (and 7 minutes of extra time) would be exhausting.
There were only 5 minutes left and La Rochelle were inside our 22 m, and it became a scramble with the forwards, who were the foundation for our lead the entire game. Eventually they earned a penalty and we were able to kick to touch and get out of our half. With just 3 minutes left, if we won the lineout and played territory this game was all but over. We did win the lineout, however, La Rochelle backed away from the maul and we were called for crossing. An amazing kick to touch brought them into our 5 m line and they would be there for the next 10 minutes. From lineout, to scrum, to open play, to scrum, to scrum, it was unbeleiveable. La Rochelle continued to get penalties that allowed them to reset in the scrum, the scrum would go down, and they would get another chance, even after time had expired. (You can't end a game on a penalty even if the scrum collapses). Eventually the ball was in play and already 5 minutes in extra time our defense was holding very strong and sending the La Rochelle runner backwards. When they realized the forwards wouldn't get the job done they sent it out to the backs and a rush defense put too much pressure on them and they bobbled it. Our medical joker fullback was able to get a foot on it and send it 30 meters in the other direction. "Kick it out!" is what everyone was either saying or thinking, but he chipped it ahead another 40 meters and jumped on the ball to score the game ending try. An amazing finish to an amazing game. Always tough to watch, but humbly proud to be a part of. Agen won 29-19 and will be playing in the Top 14 again next season.
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