Montpellier retain French crown

The 43rd French championship final between 2013 champions Montpellier, going for their fourth title in eight years, and Bobigny, who had never reached this stage before.

Pierre Mirambeau reports:

"In this World Cup season, and after an unusual and controversial season, the French Rugby Union (FFR) scheduled the womens national final for the small town of Villefranche sur Saône. Although not really a rugby capital it is located midway between the two teams - and is the capital of the Beaujolais vineyards! The sky was partially cloudy but dry, and the pitch looked good. About 1500 supporters made it to the ground, with Bobigny fans dominant - partly because both Montpellier's support was split, with both their first and second teams playing for their respective divisional titles in different parts of the country.

The first half was one-sided, as Montpellier powerful pack (incuding 5 members of the recent Grand Slam-winning French team) dominated in both the scrums and the breakdown, as was expected. More surprising was their domination in the lineouts as they stole seven balls to usual queen of the air, Koumba Diallo. With a huge domination in possession Montpellier "ladybirds" scored three all-but identical tries in a style also familar to anyone who watched the Six Nations - lineout in Bobigny 22, rolling maul and try by captain Gaelle Mignot (4’, 13’, 39’).

Fly-half Aurelie Bailon was on magnificent form throughout the day as she converted the first try in relatively straightforward position, hit the left post with the second from the touch line, added a drop goal (on 32’) and converted the third try, also from the line. With the score 22-0 at half time, few observers where about to bet a centime on Bobigny’s chances.

A few seconds after seconf half began Montpellier added another seven points - a quick move on the blind side following a scrum in opponents 22, Aurelie Bailon running in support to winger Duval before scoring in left corner - and then converting her own try. 29-0 and 38 minutes to go.

Bobigny captain Marion Lièvre sounded a revival, leading by example as she scored two tries from runs startng well out from the Montpellier line (45’, 50’), both converted by Sandra Metier. Magdalena Alliaud just out of the bench the added a third try on a forwards rush (59’ - unconverted).

29-19 : with 20 minutes remaining and a huge momentum Bobigny "wolves" started to imagine an incredible come-back as they now suddenly looked in better shape than the title older. But despite desperate charges in the dying minutes, Montpellier's forwards experience and the kicking of Bailon maintained this 10 points average and allowed Medtiterranean team to hold "le bouclier" for the second time in a row.

Overall that was a very interesting game with lot of rythym thanks to good conditions - and referee Madame Bigaran who, as usual, allowed the game to flow, limiting her calls at what she estimated stricly necessary.

After the game Montpellier lock Clothilde Flaugere revealed the planning that had gone into the triumph for her team "This week we analysed the video of Bobigny semi in Lille and we worked on a system, with Pauline Rayssac as jumper to block their throws. Pauline played an amazing game!". Retiring back Jeanne Laurence was also "very happy with this new title. As I am retiring this was my last fifteen-a-side game. I played the last 30 minutes and had almost nothing to do! Must talk with girls before heading to sevens as I’m supposed to coach the team!"

Bobigny coach Fabien Antonelli was disappointed: "The first half was the worst I could imagine! The girls showed great skills in second half but the 29 points gap was to high. This will remain a very positive season overall. We need some time to analyse this match then we’ll see what we do for the future". However, not everyone was down at the end - Bobigny prop Joana Sainlo's thoughts were all on post-match parties, revealing that "the theme for our return trip to Bobigny is leather and moustaches!"

For some teams involved in the remaining classification games, there was an element of anti-climax to overcome. This was especially so for Lille and Caen in the third-place game, where both had thoughts of what might have been had the ball gone their way the previous weekend.

As with all games this weekend, the match was at a neutral ground - in this case just outside Rouen.

Caen had much the better start - moving into an 8-0 lead midway through the first half. However Lille decided to change tactics, and a more forward-based plan changed the direction of the game. The northerner brand scored their first try in the corner ( 8-7) and then a few minutes later, managed to take the lead after a multitude of pick and go ( 8-12). The Caennaise fought back, however, and went into the break 13-12 ahead.A change in the weather seemed to work to Lille's advantage. Under lightning, rain and hail Lille's pack were in the ascendancy and a penalty try in the final few minutes turne dthe game their way (13-19) . Caen tried one last attack, in vain.

2011 champions Perpignan finished a difficult season with the fifth place game. Injuries and absences gaveKathy Watson(ex-Vale of Lune and Waterloo) a chance to pull on the Catalonian colours for only the second time this season, and she tells us the story of what was "a bit of an emotional affair".

"At least two of the coaching staff won't be with Perpignan again next season. They are both excellent coaches and lovely guys so it was very sad and the pre match talks had everyone in tears. Some big names missing - Le Duff, Horta, Yahé, Chouly and Tetart resulting in several positional changes.

"The game was a very even affair with both teams pretty evenly matched. It was St Orens that scored first - the try being converted. Perpignan then started to take control up front and very much dominated in rucks, scrims and constructed some very efficient driving mauls. Captain Lucie Sagols lead from the front and had an outstanding game and very much deserved her try which was scored after sustained pressure on the St Orens line. She dived over from close range.

"We then lost Laura Marty (replaced by Fanny Aros) and Clemence Rière (replaced by me) in the first half. Rière has a ruptured achilles and will be out for some time. Half time score 7-5 to St Orens.

"In the second half we picked up a gear and had a sustained period camped on the opposition line, but we just couldn't get over. Mélodie Carreno and then myself were all held up over the line. The ball was spun out wide and Elodie Guiglion was denied a fine score from a touch judge decision.

"All their play stemmed from Marjorie Mayans. She was their stand out player and we would have would have won - and by a substantial amount - if she hadn't have been playing. As it was in the last five mins we tired and they slipped through for a score to go 12-5 ahead.

"I know personally I had cramp in nearly every muscle in the lower half of my body having not played that much rugby in a looooonnggg time. We were ultimately obviously disappointed with the score but we fought till then end and finished on a bit of a flurry with our heads held high having maintained our top flight status for next season."

The final game saw Rennes travel down to near Bordeaux to defeat La Valette by 18-0. The newcomers to the top division had shown that the main strength lay in their home games, where they surprised a number of clubs. As a result 8th place will have been a disappointing final position - and they will now also have to play-off against Bayonne to retain their place in the top division, that match taking place on 11th May.