In a thrilling final at Gilbert-Brutus, Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan emerged victorious despite a valiant effort from Bègles. After trailing 4-0, the Catalans rallied with three tries to lead 14-4 at halftime. Despite errors and the absence of key players, Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan held on, with tries from Guisset and Coll sealing the victory. The win marks a historic achievement for the club, showcasing the contributions of seven new players, including three cadets.
In an enthralling and closely contested final, the Gilbert-Brutus crowd witnessed a captivating battle between Bègles and Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan.
Despite conceding the game's opening try, the Catalans rallied to establish a 14-4 half-time advantage, courtesy of scores from Cristina Song-Puche, Chloé Abellanet, and Leïla Bessahli. However, coach Campourcy's team struggled to maintain their dominance in the second half. Lapses in execution, coupled with uncharacteristic errors and poor decision-making, allowed Bègles to remain within striking distance.
The Girondines, propelled by their newfound confidence, gradually closed the gap, capitalizing on Catalan mistakes. The tension reached a fever pitch as Bègles threatened to level the scores with two promising attacks down the right flank, only to be met with resolute defense from Margot Canal and her teammates. In a testament to the physicality of the contest, Canal suffered a shoulder injury that forced her to leave the field.
Despite the absences of key players Fanny Ramos, Anaïs Fourcroy, and Sarah Menaa, the Saints' collective spirit refused to waver. Justine Roses and Louane Baby formed an untested half-back partnership, while Alissia Berrahal, Mazarine Jammet, Louane Baby, Lilou Marty, Anais Gau, Lolita Sanchez, and Kaina Absi made their respective final debuts. These seven newcomers, including three junior players, etched their names into club history as members of the first Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan squad to lift the French Cup.
As the game entered its final stages, Bègles' resilience was broken by Lea Guisset, who touched down in the corner, and Ophélie Coll, who converted a penalty kick under immense pressure. These two players, veterans of the team, fittingly sealed the victory for the Catalans.
Saint-Estève/XIII Catalan can now bask in the glory of their victory while preparing for their upcoming championship semi-final. However, the team would be remiss if they did not heed the cautionary tale of this hard-fought final. While their defensive prowess ultimately secured the trophy, their offensive cohesion and execution require diligent attention if they are to maintain their championship ambitions.
