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It was a big day for the Rascasses de Saint Barth and the Archigirls de Saint-Martin, forming the Entente des Îles du Nord, last Saturday, when they hosted Bruc des Abymes at the Saint-Jean stadium. For the occasion, the club pulled out all the stops by organizing a feria in the rugby club's blue and white colors.
Spectators turned out in large numbers to enjoy both events, cheering on the players during the match from the stands and celebrating after the game during the famous third half, an essential part of the rugby world.
On the field, Entente dominated the game and confirmed its progress. Spurred on by a passionate crowd, the team crossed the opposition's try line seven times. Tries were scored by Cantatore, Galibert, Rigaud, Gatelier, and Howard with a hat trick.
For coach Fabien Maurel, it was a successful match that calls for more: "The girls were hungry, they played a great game in an exceptional atmosphere. In the stands, it was unprecedented, there were as many people as when the Barracudas senior team plays... it's a great reward for this group! We knew we were going to be up against a good team and that we would have to work hard to win this game. Of course, not everything is perfect, we will continue to improve, but starting the championship with a home win is great!" Indeed, it is rare for women's rugby matches in the Caribbean to be watched by so many spectators in the stands, which shows the enthusiasm of the Saint Barth public for this Entente. They certainly deserved a great celebration! Florence Bischoff, who is usually in charge of the rugby school, oversaw the organization of this event. She summed up this memorable evening on and off the field: "All dressed in blue and white, the spectators cheered on the players with every ball, applauding and shouting for tries and gasping at tackles in defense. The team enjoyed playing well and we enjoyed supporting them. What's more, they won, which made the feria even more wonderful! Everyone sang, danced, and partied until the end of the night!" This great spirit and cohesion will need to be maintained on March 14, with the return match, which will be played on the field of a Bruc team that will certainly be out for revenge, at Palais Royal in Les Abymes.
Words from the players:
Alice Gatelier,
captain of Entente des Iles du Nord:
"I'm so proud that we were able to pull off a game like this on Saturday night! It's not just about the score, which is obviously flattering, but even more so about the content. I think everyone was really looking forward to starting this season. We worked hard for it and didn't let ourselves get overwhelmed by the excitement, staying realistic. The commitment that everyone on this team has shown on and off the field should serve as an example and a foundation for the future, which looks promising. We know that a successful game doesn't just depend on the 10 players on the field, but on everything around us, whether it's the substitutes, the girls outside the group, the coaches, of course, but also the volunteers and the fans who cheered us on throughout! Now it's up to us to repeat the feat game after game, away from home!"
Elise Howard,
serial scorer for Entente des Iles du Nord:
"It was great! We won 35-15 and I scored three tries. Honestly, if I had to pick one, it would be the first one. Not necessarily for the move itself, but for everything it represented. It's the very beginning of the season, our first game, and we felt that it could kickstart something. The action started with an incredible break by one of our forwards, full of power and determination. Then it all happened very quickly: a clean break from the scrum half, the ball moved quickly to the wing, and I was just lucky enough to finish the job because I was in the right place. This kind of try is really the perfect example of a collective effort, where everyone contributes. And then there was the atmosphere. Hearing the stands vibrate at that moment, feeling the support of the crowd, it gives you goosebumps. That's what we play for, too. Seeing so many people around the field cheering us on from the very first game shows that this team matters, and it makes you want to fight even harder. We have a good group this year, close-knit, with a real team spirit. If this try marks the beginning of something, I hope above all that it will be the beginning of a great season, together, with this energy and support. What's more, after winning the game, we all had a big party together!"
