World Footy News

It is sometimes said that in sport a single win can be the start of a new chapter in a club’s history. New eras have to start somewhere and it is often a single win which triggers a change of fortunes. The Perpignan Tigers, playing in the CNFA competition in France, may be on their way to a different future as a result of their most recent victory.

In the final match for 2015, the Perpignan Tigers surprised almost everyone when they defeated the newly formed Paris Cockatoos earlier this month. The win saw the Tigers kick 13 13 91 to the Cockatoos 9 15 69, and quite rightly their supporters had cause to celebrate.

Some see a win as just a win. But this win was special. It was the Tigers’ first victory in the Championnat De France (the nation’s premier competition) since 2011 when they defeated the Aix-Marseilles Dockers 129 to 53. Whilst they received the points in two games during the 2011/12 season in forfeited matches, the Dockers win was their first and only win from a match on field. Their win this month becomes just their second since joining the French national competition for the 2009/10 season.

That season they also received points for a forfeit win against the Andorra Crows, but in their short history wins have been rare. They have had the occasional win in the other competitions – the Coupe De France and Coupe Du Sud – most recently in September when they downed the Cergy-Pontoise Coyotes in the 2015 Coupe de France by 7 points – but their recent win is significant.

After missing the 2012/13 and 2013/14 seasons altogether, the Tigers returned to the national battleground for the 2014/15 season. They went winless but showed signs of development. But so far 2015 has been their most productive to date with wins against the Coyotes and the Cockatoos and a reasonable chance of sneaking at least another win for the 2015/16 season.

It might prove to be a turning point for the club as they begin to see the rewards for all the hard work from so many dedicated and committed people.

Despite being early in the season, the Tigers sit in fifth place on the ladder. That marks a huge milestone for the club to be so high on the ladder after four rounds. Their next assignment is in February when they host the Bordeaux Bombers (currently sitting seventh). In Round 9 they also host the ALFA Lions (currently eighth) and have to be some chance of winning one or both. Even a win in one of those games would see this as their most successful on-field season in their history.

Our eyes will be on the Perpignan Tigers as they continue to build for the future and challenge history. It is fair to say that the eyes of all other clubs will also be trained on the Tigers as a team that should no longer be treated lightly.

The CNFA season is currently on its winter break. Catch up matches are scheduled for 6th February (Bordeaux Bombers v Strasbourg Kangourous) and 20th February (ALFA Lions v Paris Cockerels) whilst Round 5 will also commence on the same day.