too imprecise
Will this defeat in Perpignan leave traces? Have. Assured of qualification following their improved victory against Lyon (42-10) a fortnight ago, Christophe Urios’ men had made the top 2 their goal since January. Legit in view of their 1re place of the time with 11 points ahead of their runner-up. But this lead has melted like snow in the sun as spring approaches. After three months of scarcity (9 defeats in 11 games), the Girondins have lost their mattress, their place as leader, and their 2e place was hanging by a thread before this last trip to Perpignan.
In a sold-out Aimé-Giral stadium, Usap had no room for error. Faced with an opponent who was gambling on his survival, the UBB landed in a real trap. This was felt as soon as we got off the bus where a corridor of boiling hot supporters was waiting for the Girondins to accompany them to the locker room.
The Bordelais ideally started the game with a try from Buros following a lot of work from the forwards (0-7, 8e). But Usap reacted in stride. Mamea Lemalu pierced through the center and Labouteley dived into the in-goal (7-7, 11e). Perpignan even took the score on a penalty from Tedder (10-7, 28e).
Faced with starving Perpignan residents, Bordeaux-Bègles broke their teeth on their hopes of joining Nice directly
UBB accelerated on the left wing with Seuteni, Moefana and Mori who took out the canes and gave the ball back to Seuteni for the second Girondin try (10-12, 33e). But once again, the Union was surprised at the kick-off. Ecochard hit over the defense and Dubois signed the second Catalan try (17-12, 35e). The state of mind was there, the initiatives too, but the Bordelais were hampered by their clumsiness and Lucu’s lack of success at the foot (1/3 in the first period).
Catalan fury
In the second half, the UBB faced a real Catalan furia. Acebes reassembled its troops, Usap took the slider up another notch in the engagement and Mamea Lemalu scored the third blood and gold test (22-12, 53e). The contacts were harder and harder but the Bordelais did not surrender, like Diaby coming on. Lucu reduced the gap on penalty (22-15, 62e). Three minutes from time, a carried ball landed in the in-goal but UBB failed to flatten. And the last touch on the Catalan 5 meters was countered… Faced with starving Perpignanais, Bordeaux-Bègles broke their teeth on their hopes of joining Nice directly.
Beyond the direct qualification for the semi-finals, the UBB wanted to gain momentum before approaching the final stages. But unable to chain two wins in a row since mid-January, she was not reassured at Aimé-Giral before the ax matches. And the identity of the future opponent in the barrage is enough to give cold sweats.
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