US Foix Clinches Hard-Fought France – In a tense Regional 1 clash, US Foix secured a 30-26 victory over Val XV this Friday, overcoming a resilient opponent in a match marked by shifting momentum and crucial kicking performances. The win solidifies Foix’s position in the league while Val XV are left to rue missed opportunities in a closely contested local derby.
The match, played before a lively crowd including supporters of Jean-Noël Fondere, saw both teams trade leads throughout the 80 minutes. val XV twice took the advantage, but were unable to maintain control.A key factor in Foix’s triumph was the precision of kicker Lozano-brunel, who contributed 20 points, alongside Gouzy’s 16 for Val XV. The game’s outcome hinged on late penalties, with Lozano-Brunel ultimately sealing the win for the home side.
Gouzy opened the scoring with a penalty, quickly answered by Lozano-Brunel (3-3).Foix’s Fuxéen crossed for two tries (18th, 24th), bringing the score to 9-3, before Mercier-Delacroix extended the lead with a try following a boxed ball collected by Foix, converted by Lozano-Brunel (16-3, 26th). Val XV responded before halftime thru a subra try, converted by Gouzy (16-10, 29th), and another Gouzy try (21-16).
The second half saw Val XV briefly take the lead with a Subra try and Gouzy conversion (21-23, 43rd), only for Lozano-Brunel to regain the advantage with a penalty (24-23, 46th).A late penalty from Gouzy (24-26, 60th) set up a dramatic finish, ultimately decided by two final penalties from Lozano-Brunel (68th, 75th).
“We missed a victory,” stated Michel Lopez, coach of Val XV. “If there was no bad choice in the strategy to use, we can win. It was so for our first two meetings. This Friday,we had training,worked for the match against Foix. we frequently enough fall back into our flaws.”
US Foix co-trainer Yannick Delrieu acknowledged the challenge posed by Val XV,saying,”We knew how to avoid the trap that Val XV tested us. however, we don’t score enough at first half. We knew how to do it in the second half.The role of the scorer was preponderant, on the side of Val XV too.”[8]In the reserve team match, Val XV defeated US Foix 3-20.
