France Elite Season 1985-89

This is part of a series that charts the clubs that have played elite Rugby league in France in five year increments. We continue with the late 1980s. The chart has points I have allocated according to where teams finished in the League, Finals and Cup competitions. Any feedback is appreciated in the comments section below.  

To start at the beginning of the series, simply click on the following dates 1960-64. 

1984-85: XIII Catalan made this their year, with a second in the league, followed up with wins in the grand final and cup. Le Pontet managed to win the league and deny the Catalan side a clean sweep of the competitions. 

1985-86: The roles were reversed with Le Pontet wins in the grand final and cup but Catalan taking out the league title. The only difference was le Pontet was third in the league, not second. St Estève had a decent season.

1986-87: Things were spread more evenly, with Villeneuve winning the league, Catalan the grand final and St Estève the cup. Catalan and St Estève were the top two overall. 

1987-88: Three clubs dominated with Le Pontet on top from St Estève and Catalan. Le Pontet took the treble so was really in fine form. 

1988-89: Le Pontet followed up with another dominant display, winning the league and two losing finals. St Estève won the grand final and Avignon the cup. 

Summary: Le Pontet XII was the best side for the five year period, a club I didn't know about before embarking on this series. Two clubs that would later form a potent partnership Catalan and St Estève came up next. 

So what happened to the three clubs that broke into elite French RL? Toulouse was solid if unspectacular. Limoux had a few ups and downs but was still in the mix. Le Pontet left RL at the end of the 1988-89 season. Why? Due to issues with the French XIII federation it was banned for 12 months, was dissolved and became a Rugby union club. I don't know all the facts but it seems a tragedy that the best team at that time was lost to the code. 

In the space of a few years, two finals not completed, loss of TV coverage and then this. You couldn't make this up! No one would believe you if you did.

Point of interest: Châtillon XIII is a club based in the Paris area and after some success in the cup in the 84-85 season, joined the elite league the following year. They finished second to last in a small eight team league and disappeared, never to return to the top flight. They still exist I believe but in one of the lower divisions of the sport.

For the following article in the series, please click the dates 1990-94.