On the 17th day of ProD2, Rouen (14th) welcomed Grenoble (11th) on its lawn in Jean-Mermoz, under a pouring rain.
The first half was a one-way affair: the Normans imposed their rhythm and showed impressive possession while the FCG did not touch down. The RNR scored the first try through the powerful Fijian Mapalapangi (17th) and 4 penalties, two of them at more than 50m thanks to Lydon's boot. At half-time, Rouen was leading 19-0 and Grenoble had only made one foray into the Norman 40m during the first act.
At the end of the half, FCG showed a new face and scored two tries in quick succession: Glénat (42nd) and Nagusa (48th). While we were hoping to relive a scenario like Oyonnax, and the FCG had obtained a penalty that could allow them to come back within 3pts of the Normans, Nagusa played fast but committed an en-avant. A good recovery ball and a scramble at the end of the line by Glénat gave RNR an all-round try (Bonnot, 61st). The fate was almost sealed.
For the last 20 minutes, FCG were too inaccurate to hope to score again. The final score stops at 26-14. Grenoble came home empty-handed from Normandy and could blame themselves, as one or two different decisions could have changed the fate of the match.
Thanks to this victory, Rouen moves a little away from the red zone (12th, 28pts), only 2 points behind FCG, which is stagnating in the soft underbelly of the championship (11th, 30pts).
Auteur : FCG Rugby