Long undecided but still breathless, this barrage of Pro D2 only delivered its winner at the last second when the Breton pack knew how to win the last ball, ensure a conquest in touch and end this tense and intense match. It is therefore Vannes who will face Oyonnax, Saturday May 20 at 3 p.m., in the semi-finals.
Before that, Bretons and Burgundians had surrendered blow for blow. Match committed, therefore, the highlights alternating with the missed opportunities. But two attempts were nevertheless registered on each side. By Steven David in power (15th) for Nevers, while Vannes inherited a penalty try (39th) after pushing the opposing pack to the fault.
In numerical inferiority (yellow cards against Luka Plataret in the 35th, then Cleopas Kundonia in the 36th) and tied at the break (10-10) despite their territorial domination, the Nivernais were nevertheless able to turn things around thanks to a sharp action from their center Alivereti Loaloa who sent powerful winger Christian Ambadiang to score his fourteenth try this season and lead again, 17-10 (43rd).
But the Bretons did not give up. Heroic in defense between the 47th and 51st in front of their goal line, they crossed the field and found enough resources to score in turn, through their opener Maxime Lafage (57th) who converted his try. Again tied (17-17), the two teams then engaged in a daunting fight and a second penalty goal from Lafage (67th) put Vannes in the lead (17-20). Nevers, imprecise in attack, was never able to reverse the trend.