They wanted to give everything, leave nothing to chance, and above all, avoid regrets. But when the final whistle blew, everyone agreed: it wasn’t so much that Bayonne won four points, but rather that USAP let three slip away. The cruel scenario echoed that of Pau in 2022: after leading for most of the match, the Catalans faltered in the final moments. Once again, Perpignan dominated large portions of the game, with a stunning try from Crossdel, while Veredamou, in top form, dazzled in attack, creating openings with his sharp vision.
The first half ended with a narrow lead for the Blood and Gold, who controlled possession and suffocated Bayonne’s forwards with an impenetrable defense. Yet, tactical decisions would betray them. Instead of opting for a penalty in a key scrum moment, they chose to go for the lineout, to no avail. The turning point came when Joris, despite a strong headwind, scored a 50-meter penalty, giving Bayonne a two-point lead (21-19). USAP, though confident, was undone by Lopez’s precision and their inability to convert crucial moments.
In the final minute, with hope still alive, MacIntyre made the unthinkable decision to kick the ball out of play, despite the unfavorable scoreline. An incomprehensible choice that sealed their fate. Despite Allan’s perfect kicking performance, the Catalans were left rueing their missed chances. Regrets, this time, arrived swiftly.
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