Sarrebourg claimed a narrow 30-29 victory over Saintes in the ProLigue on Thursday evening. The away side took all three points from a match that stayed tight until the final whistle. Saintes had hoped to extend their unbeaten run at home, but the visitors held firm under pressure.
Both clubs arrive at this fixture with identical records. Five games played, two wins, three draws, four points each. Saintes sit eighth while Sarrebourg occupy tenth, but the gap between them is negligible. This result shifts the balance slightly in favour of the visitors.
By then Sarrebourg had already shown they can compete away from home. They beat Massy Essonne HB 30-26 last time out before losing to Nîmes Gard. Saintes came off a defeat to Draguignan 23-27, a result that will have stung. The hosts needed a response, and they got one — just not the one they wanted.
And here's the thing, we had backed the home side. Sixty percent confidence, we said. The prediction didn't hold up. Sarrebourg's away form proved too strong, and Saintes couldn't find the breakthrough they needed in the closing stages.
For Saintes this is a setback after their 38-31 win over Besançon. They will look to regroup before their next fixture. Sarrebourg move closer to the top half, though they remain ten places off the summit. One point separates them from safety, and now they have momentum.
