World Footy News

The Paris Cockerels made a huge statement in their Round 8 match against the Toulouse Hawks, downing the team many felt would challenge for this year’s flag by a commanding 84 points. The final margin of 107 to 23 certainly indicates a gulf between the sides that for most of the season have been seen as one and two on the pecking order. Now the Cockerels can set course for back to back flags with the confidence they can more than match the Hawks.

The match also sets up a fascinating final round clash where the Hawks are again Paris-bound to take on the Cergy-Pontoise Coyotes. A win will restore the Hawks standing as a premiership threat, but a loss to the Coyotes will see them drop as low as fourth place if the Paris Cockatoos win as expected against the Strasbourg Kangourous.

With the Perpignan Tigers having been eliminated from the finals race last round, the race to the finish will be exciting to see where the top four actually finish up to determine semi-final matches. In a twist of fate, the Cockerels do not play another match, whilst the Hawks, Coyotes and Cockatoos each have the chance to overtake depending on Round 9 results.

But based purely on form, the Paris Cockerels have impressed with five consecutive wins leading into finals time, so momentum is certainly with them after a shaky start to the season. The Cockerels are chasing back to back titles after having won last season’s flag downing the Montpellier Firesharks.

Nevertheless, the Toulouse Hawks, Cergy-Pontoise Coyotes and Paris Cockatoos are not yet convinced that the title is already decided and will be throwing everything into their final matches, and throughout the finals, to seek their own destinies. That’s what makes footy great.