D1
The title race is on in Division 1 between the Rouen Huskies and the Barracudas, starting in Veyrassi in Hérault. The Rouen side managed to win two games (0-2 and 3-4) on the home turf of the Challenge de France winners. The Huskies have partly avenged themselves, as they had heavily lost to the Montpellier side in the CDF final. The final spot is decided in a best-of-three series. The Normandy side is on the verge of their 17th final. The Barracudas, whose roster has evolved with the return of some players from overseas, will have to give it their all at Stade Saint-Exupéry next weekend against the 15-time French champions.
All Rouen needs now is one more win against Montpellier.
On the other side of the semifinals, where only one game has been played, the Templiers took the advantage at home in a night game against the Lions (5-1), partly under heavy rain. Down until the 8th inning, they managed to come back and close it out, as they often do.
Photo: the Templiers stadium by night.
D3
As previously reported, three geographically based pools were formed.
Due to weather disruptions, the competition has only just begun with a few matchups. 9 teams are vying for the title.
In Pool A, only one game has been completed, between the Ermont Expos and the Nancy Jaguars. Nancy took the win 2-6. The Tourcoing Lords were unable to play.
In Pool B, the Boucaniers’ reserve team swept their opponents in Vienne against the Fenay Cyclones and the Limoges Sparks. Under unpredictable weather, the Rochechouart side took control against the Cyclones 28-5 and against the Sparks 8-0. In the first game, the Sparks lost to Fenay 7-16.
Photo: the Sparks at bat against the Cyclones.
In Pool C, the Vallée du Gapeau side lost to the currently in-form Pau Pumas 12-2 (the same Pumas who shut out the Boucaniers 2-0 in Pau during the R1 New Aquitaine final). Nothing else has been played. The Anglet Gambas were also in action.
The final showdown for D3 is set to take place as normal in Chartres (Gellainville) at the Franch Cubs’ home on October 9th and 10th.
Photo credit: Glenn Gervot.
Vincent Picard
