Sarrebourg — Val d'Oise: 31:30, Proligue

Sarbourg claim first win as Val d'Oise unbeaten run ends

Sarbourg beat Val d'Oise 31:30 in the ProLigue on Friday evening. The result gives the home side their first victory of the campaign while handing Val d'Oise their first defeat after two draws.

Both sides entered the match winless, each sitting on two draws and zero points. Sarbourg had dropped points in their opening two fixtures, while Val d'Oise looked comfortable on the road until this evening.

We had backed Val d'Oise to win away, with 94 per cent confidence. The prediction didn't come off. Sarbourg tightened things up defensively and punished them when the visitors lost their concentration in the final quarter.

The scoreline tells a story of a match that drifted away from the visitors in the closing stages. Val d'Oise had led for much of the first half but could not hold on. Sarbourg found a way back into it and then took control.

The result lifts Sarbourg off the bottom of the table, though they remain in fifteenth place. Val d'Oise move up to fourteenth, but the momentum has shifted. There is no value left at that number for the away side now.