Bayonne-Brive: 37-9
As often with Jean Dauger this season, the Bayonnais imposed a big physical challenge on their opponents, direct competitors in the race to maintain. But who says physical challenge does not mean lack of offshore play. Witness this magnificent recovery of the Basques in their 22 meters and concluded 70 meters further in the Brive in-goal by Eneriko Buliruarua (10-3, 19th).
Then in a choppy but heavily home-dominated second half, Brive was powerless offensively. Scorers Camille Lopez and Enzo Hervé answered each other to change a still tight scoreboard until the Bayonnais scored a try that nailed the suspense by Thomas Ceyte (23-9, 59th). Then two more in two minutes before the siren by Perchaud and on a penalty try allowing them to win a five-point victory and warm up their supporters. Bayonne temporarily climbs to fourth place while Brive will have to remobilize next week with the reception of Perpignan.
Castres-Bordeaux: 23-18
Under pressure before the match, the Castres managed to maintain their invincibility at home (23-18). It’s been over two years now. But as so often since the start of the season, Pierre-Henri Broncan’s men suffered, notably missing their start to the match with four penalties offered during the first 15 minutes which allowed Zach Holmes to score 12 points.
The Castres woke up after Adrea Cocagi’s yellow card and managed to settle in the Girondin camp with two tries scored by Wilfried Hounkpatin and Nick Champion de Crespigny. At the break, the score was 20-12. Dominating in the second half, they came up against the excellent defense of UBB who left with the defensive bonus point. Castres, which remained in 7 matches without a win, in all competitions, is breathing in the standings…
Perpignan-French Stadium: 31-24
USAP, bottom and remaining on four defeats in the Top 14, revived by dominating Stade Français (2nd), which had won its last four Championship matches. Led after a try from Ward (10-14, 36th), Perpignan made the difference just before and just after the break thanks to tries from Tilsley (17-14, 40th + 3), Faasalele (24-14, 46th) and Lemalu (31-14, 55th) against Parisians penalized by yellow cards against Chapuis (40th) and Hirigoyen (52nd). USAP, not helped by Tilsey’s red card for having crushed Parra’s arm in a ruck (68th), then got scared by taking tries from Etien (31-19, 59th) and Tui (31st). -24, 74th).
The three conversions missed by Joris Segonds prevented Paris from returning with at least one defensive bonus. This success of the Sang et Or, combined with the defeat of Brive (13th) in Bayonne (37-9), revived the USAP in the race to maintain. Especially since the Catalans are expected to … Brive next Saturday.
Toulon-Pau: 27-16
On the heels of its good parenthesis in Challenge (two successes, against Bath and Zebre), Toulon relaunched in Top 14 this Saturday. The RCT overcame Pau (27-16) at Mayol. But Pierre Mignoni’s team struggled to get into the game. After thirty minutes apathetic, where they found themselves led 0-6 and could have been further behind, Facundo Isa, opportunistic, led the revolt (7-6).
The Argentinian did it again at the end of the match after a carried ball (72nd). Meanwhile, Duncan Paia’aua, following a breakthrough from Waisea (32nd) and Ihaia West, on foot, had offered a solid margin to their team. Daniel Ikpefan deprived the locals of an offensive bonus in the last seconds. But the RCT still puts an end to a series of two defeats in the Championship and is once again projecting itself towards the top 6.
