LAXOUX/DOUARNENEZ - Two matches were played in the first round of the French team championships in Group B this week. Andernos came up with the maximum score in the away match in Douarnenez (0-8), Laxou lost in a home match to Soissons 6-2. The most striking score for Soissons: Jérémy Bury was the better of Torbjörn Blomdahl 40-34 in 35 innings (Bury runs11). At Andernos, Gwendal Maréchal was the best winner: the young Frenchman beat Grégory Le Deventec 40-31 in 22 innings. Dick Jaspers needed one more inning against Francis Forton for a 40-36 in 23 victory.
The newcomer in this division is Soissons with Jérémy Bury, Martin Horn, Pierre Soumagne and Mikaël Devogelaere, which had an excellent start at Laxou. Adrien Tachoire was absent from the home team.
Soissons was already leading 4-0 at the break thanks to victories of Devogelaere over Mangin (40-32 in 45) and Horn against Philipoom 40-31 in 32. In the second part, the score was increased to 2-6, as Xavier le Roy won for the home team against Pierre Soumagne 40-37 in 34.
Laxou (0,938), Soissons (1,075).
The next day, Andernos (Dick Jaspers, Gwendal Maréchal, Jérôme Barbeillon, Bernard Baudoin, who replaced Marco Zanetti) faced Douarnenez Novatlas (Francis Forton, Grégory Le Deventec, Vincent Lelièvre, Kevin Vasseur).
Maréchal against Le Deventec was a Breton encounter. Maréchal took a big lead (26-8) and finished 40-31 in 22). KevinVasseur still led against Bernard Baudoin 34-26, Baudoin came back to 37-36 and won the match 40-37 in 45.
Dick Jaspers secured the final victory for Andernos by winning his match against Francis Forton. Forton got off to a promising start with 8 and a comfortable 21-8 lead after 8 innings at the break. At 25-24 in 14, Jaspers was back in the game. The Dutchman eventually won 40-36 in 23.
Barbeillon led on the other table 23-6 and left his opponent Vincent Lelievre far behind in the end, 40-16 in 25.
Andernos average 1,415, Douarnenez Novatlas 1,062.