VPC Andorra Clinches Fourth Place with 16-10 Win Over CN Poble Nou in Rainy Barcelona

VPC Andorra confirmed fourth place in Spain's División de Honor B promotion group with a 16-10 win over CN Poble Nou in rainy Barcelona on Saturday, now holding 17 points with one round left and their play-off destiny in their own hands.

The victory under coach Dani Raya at CEM Mar Bella marked VPC's fourth straight win, placing them three points ahead of CAU Rugby València, who lost 63-24 to leaders Getxo Rugby on Sunday. This positions VPC to secure a spot in the final-four play-offs for promotion to División de Honor Elit with a win in their final match.

Hugo Llata touched down for VPC's only try in the 11th minute, converted by Gastón González for a 7-0 lead. Poble Nou narrowed the gap to 7-3 at halftime with a 45th-minute penalty from Juan Unghiatti. González then kicked three penalties in the 50th, 62nd, and 68th minutes to extend the advantage to 16-3.

Poble Nou mounted a late fightback with a penalty try in the 79th minute, which also earned González a yellow card for foul play, closing the score to 16-10. VPC's defence stood strong despite earlier yellows to Ian Granyena in the 39th minute for repeated infringements and Lluc Cunill in the 77th, forcing them to play shorthanded at points.

Bottom-of-the-table Poble Nou, winless in the promotion phase aside from one prior result, remained anchored at the foot of the standings. VPC overturned a defeat from November at the same ground.

Next Sunday at 12:30 at Estadi Nacional, VPC host penúltimo-placed Gesalga Okelan Gipuzkoa Sortzen, while CAU face Hermo Soto del Real at noon. A VPC victory would cap their late surge into the promotion play-offs.