The defending champion St. Ouen Cougars are heading back to the French championship game to face the upstart Nice Dauphins as France’s semifinals offered exciting down-to-the-wire action.
Nice Dauphins 29 – Aix en Provence Argonautes 14
Dauphins RB Rondell White was unstoppable
For the first time in their history, after four semifinal defeats, the Nice Dauphins are headed to the French championship game, the Casque de Diamant.
Behind the running of Rondell White, who has enjoyed an incredible season, the Dauphins were able to defeat the Aix en Provence Argonautes 29-14 and punch their tickets to the final.
White broke open a tight ball game scoring two second half touchdowns for Nice to lead them to the win.
With the Argonautes mounting a rally late in the game starting quarterback Ryan Perrilloux was injured and his backup Adrien Ortu was picked off leading to White’s final touchdown giving Nice a 29-14 lead they never relinquished.
St. Ouen Cougars 27 – La Courneuve Flash 21
Photos: Thomas Depaepe Photographie
The reigning French champions, the St. Ouen Cougars jumped out to a 24-7 lead at halftime only to watch as La Courneuve Flash, nine-time French champions, kicked into another gear late in the second half. The Cougars had extended their lead to 27-7 when Flash quarterback Paul Durand threw two fourth quarter touchdown passes to close the gap to 27-21. Durand then led the Flash on a furious last minute drive which ended with less than 30 seconds remaining on a dropped pass.