Duel between teams in form in Mayol on Saturday at the opening of the 8th day of the championship, Toulon (5th) challenged one of the co-leaders, Castres Olympique. The Var team achieves a third success in a row (41-19) and thus returns to the level of its opponent of the day in the ranking. Even after receiving a red card at the start of the second act, the RCT played with mastery and dominated their subject. Solid.
Confirm the victory obtained in Clermont and thus continue the victorious series in Top 14. This was the ambition of Toulon during the 8e championship day with the arrival in Mayol of Castres, co-leader of the championship. It was done with a very logical 41-19 success, built on a large domination in this part.
Toulon dominates, Castres scores
The Varois set the tone by stealing two opposing throws into touch in the first three minutes. They validate a first strong moment with a penalty from Enzo Hervé (5e). The locals want to play to destabilize Castres Olympique and even launch a movement towards the wing behind a contested scrum in their 22 meters. Unfortunately for them, Gaël Dréan had the ball snatched away by Josaia Raisuqe who went to score the first try of this game (3-5, 8e). As throughout this meeting, Toulon then very logically punishes the Tarnese indiscipline. Enzo Hervé (8/10 against the poles in the match) collects the points. The Var also manage to find gaps on the wings, either on quick plays towards them or overthrows which destabilize the opposing defense. It pays off over time, with doubles for Setariki Tuicuvu (30e et 42e) then Gaël Dréan (62e et 70e).
But Toulon is forced to take his time to escape. Indeed after half an hour of play, the Varois “only” lead 9-5 while the Tarnais have already conceded 4 penalties and lost 6 balls in touch. Worse for the locals, as they made a break on their first try scored by Tuicuvu (30e), the Castres responded with a try from Fernandez, after a penalty quickly played by hand by Le Brun (39e). Opportunistic, the Tarnais then scored two tries and got back to 19-12 before the break.
Toulon with mastery
Toulon did not panic and in turn showed itself to be realistic with a counter try after returning from the locker room. A ball pushed to the foot by Waisea and pointed by Setariki Tuicuvu (26-12, 42e). While the Varois seem to escape in this part, they find themselves outnumbered after a red card addressed to Jérémy Sinzelle for a head-to-head clash with Geoffrey Palis (47e). But the Varois are solid and do not collapse. On the contrary. They are even the ones who continue to be dominant. Manager Pierre Mignoni decides to rebalance his team with the exit of forward Jules Coulon for the entry into play of three-quarter Mathieu Smaili. The Var all-rounder is also on hand for one of Gaël Dréan’s tries. The Toulonnais therefore twice found the former Rennais posted on his wing (62e et 70e) and can even then dream of an offensive bonus. This one won’t happen.
It is the Castres who lighten the score a little, with a final try signed Mathieu Babillot (80e+1). A very small consolation for the Tarnais who lost 8 balls in touch and conceded 13 penalties in this game. Too much to be able to compete at Mayol against Toulon. Especially since this RCT displayed a certain mastery. Even outnumbered, even in the face of Castres’ opportunism in the first act. And Toulon therefore capitalizes on a third success in a row. An RCT which will have the opportunity to continue at Mayol next weekend. With the welcome of Pau. For its part, Castres Olympique will be opposed to Lou. Obviously with the desire to present a very different face.
2023-11-25 18:52:58
#Boiling #Toulon #outclasses #messy #Castres
