Snow falls like white snowdrops over the pitch, turning the field into a glittering but slippery arena. The cold is biting, but the roar of the crowd keeps the atmosphere electric.
The first half opens with a quick decision. At minute 10 a yellow card is shown to Augustin Vandamme, a defender for Les Loups du Vent Brûlant. The early dismissal leaves the home side a man down for a brief spell.
Only three minutes later, Les Écumeurs de l'Acier seize the initiative. A well‑executed lineout feed sets up a break that finishes with a try at minute 13. The conversion, however, fails, so Les Écumeurs lead 5‑0.
Home quickly answers. Renard crosses the line at minute 15 for Les Loups, but the conversion is also missed. The score remains 5‑5. A second Les Loups try arrives at minute 18 from a swift ruck move. Again, the conversion fails, and Les Loups take a 10‑5 advantage.
Despite the early setback, Les Écumeurs refuse to back down. They press on but are held off by a disciplined back‑line, keeping the scoreline 10‑5 at half‑time.
The second half sees a dramatic shift. At minute 44 Les Écumeurs score a try, and the conversion at minute 46 is successful, bringing the score to 12‑10 in their favour.
Les Loups respond quickly. A try at minute 50 followed by a perfect conversion at minute 52 ties the game at 12‑12.
Les Écumeurs regain the edge at minute 54 with a try that adds five points, but a missed conversion leaves the score at 12‑17. At minute 60 a yellow card to an Écumeurs player halves the opposition, tightening the contest.
The final swing occurs at minute 66 when Les Écumeurs score yet another try. A conversion failure at minute 68 leaves the final tally at 22‑17 in favour of Les Écumeurs.
Final score: Les Écumeurs de l'Acier 22 – Les Loups du Vent Brûlant 17. Les Écumeurs’ four tries and a single successful conversion outshine Les Loups’ three tries and one successful conversion. Both sides earned a yellow card each, but Les Écumeurs’ disciplined defence and timely penalties proved decisive. The snow‑slick pitch tested both teams, but Les Écumeurs’ resilience in the final minutes secured the victory.