FORMER Halifax back James Woodburn-Hall booked Avignon’s passage into the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France with a late field-goal.
That was after hosts Villeneuve, despite being handicapped by a number of injuries and suspensions, put up a real battle to level at 18-18 with ten minutes remaining.
After conceding three tries, scored by secondrow Mouadh Bida, winger Ishak Mallem and hooker Hakim Dermoune, all converted by Baptiste Pourchi, Villeneuve were ten points adrift at half-time, their only response being a try from Serbia hooker Dan Marjanovic and two Thomas Lasvenes goals.
But then Jack Aiken shrugged off three defenders to go over before Hamza Bachoukh chipped ahead and touched down, Lasvenes converting both.
It was left to Jamaica international Woodburn-Hall to produce the decisive point for a 19-18 victory.
Last season’s beaten finalists Albi cruised into the next round following a one-sided 42-0 home victory over Toulouse.
Albi showed they had too much pace for their opponents, as winger Julien Cancé, centre Fouad Yaha, halfback Baptiste Fabre and winger Nittim Pedrero all went over within the first quarter of an hour.
Romain Franco, operating at fullback, added another as a 26-0 lead was established.
In the second period, Albi posted further tries from hooker Thibault Corrèges and Pedrero, who in a move reminiscent of a favourite Tony Gigot ploy, caught Théo Guinget’s kick on the full and touched down.
Recent recruit Yaha helped himself to a second try, while another new signing, ex-Toulouse Olympique forward Dominique Peyroux, made a strong impression on his debut.
Lézignan dominated St Gaudens, who are still without a win in the league, and triumphed 26-0 to move into the last eight, where they will meet holders St Estève-XIII Catalan, who had a bye.
The home team registered early tries through halfback Jack Wright and fullback Pierre Monteil, from Jordan Flovie’s pass, before prop Max Bailey crashed over just before the break.
St Gaudens made numerous errors resulting in a failure to turn possession into points, whereas Limoux hammered home their advantage as Flovie then Mathias Bousquet off the bench both ran in second-half scores.
Slow starters once again, Limoux found themselves 14-0 down at Villefranche after just 19 minutes, following two tries from winger Louis Tranier and another from fullback Martin Baldy.
Limoux struck back around the half-hour as winger Christopher Hellec and fullback Enzo Arnaud went over within two minutes of each other.
A field-goal from Villefranche half back Romain Pallarès gave a 15-10 half-time score.
Limoux took control in the second half as winger J-J Taulagi touched down, converted by Hellec for a 16-15 lead.
Halfback Matis Dall’Asta and centre William Partridge added late tries to help seal a 28-16 win, with Villefranche’s only score in the second period coming from Morgan Andral’s one-pointer.
League leaders Carcassonne thrashed Pamiers, fifth in Elite 2, scoring eleven first-half tries to lead 62-0 at the break.
Forwards Paul Séguier, Maika Serulevu and Jowasa Drodrolagi tore through the Pamiers defence at will to set up tries for Morgan Escaré and winger Timo Bola, who each ended with three, and on the other wing Germain Rigaud, who claimed four in the 90-12 victory.
Pia had an easy 52-6 passage as they outplayed Elite 2 bottom club Tonneins and have been drawn against Albi.
In the only all-Elite 2 clash, Villegailhenc, who act as Carcassonne’s reserve team, beat Ille-sur-Têt 30-16 and will now face Avignon.
Results
Albi 42 Toulouse 0
Lézignan 26 St Gaudens 0
Pamiers 12 Carcassonne 90
Tonneins 6 Pia 52
Villefranche 16 Limoux 28
Villegailhenc 30 Ille 16
Villeneuve 18 Avignon 19
Cup-holders St Estève-XIII Catalan qualify directly for the quarter-finals.
Quarter-final draw
Pia v Albi
Carcassonne v Limoux
Villegailhenc v Avignon
Lézignan v St Estève-XIII Catalan
Ties take place on the weekend of January 10/11.