Montauban managed to beat Perpignan 25-23 on Saturday at home in the 18th matchday poster of Pro D2, which allows Vannes to remain in the lead after their large victory over Provence Rugby on Friday.
At the end of the suspense, the Perpignanais, leaders before this day, narrowly bowed to the determination of the Tarn-et-Garonnais and had to be satisfied with the defensive bonus.
Jérôme Bosviel set the tone for USM by first passing four penalties (3rd, 8th, 23rd, 25th,) and by transforming the test of New Zealander Aviata Silago in the 20th minute.
It was not until half an hour into the game for the Catalans to react and come back to the match thanks to a penalty try (19-10, 32nd), then four points (19-15, 38th) on a try from Tilsley , just before the break.
In the second half, the USAP briefly took the lead thanks to De la Fuente (20-19, 44th) but two new kicks from Boisvel (50th, 68th) allowed the Montalbanais, even deprived at the end of the match of their captain Stéphane Munoz for anti-play (62nd), to inflict on the Blood and Gold their 4th defeat of the season.
Earlier this Saturday, Aurillac beat Oyonnax (22-16) after a relatively balanced match (13-13 at the break), earning a place in the standings (8th) thanks to this 8th victory of the season. The opener Thomas Vincent (test in the 38th, drop in the 55th) gives air to the Auvergnats compared to the relegation zone.
Friday, Nevers had beaten Mont-de-Marsan (36-6) by taking the offensive bonus, like Grenoble against Béziers (34-19) and Carcassonne against Rouen (29-9).
In the duel of the poorly classified, the red lantern Soyaux Angoulême had gone to glean two precious points (25-25) from the 14th, Valence Romans.
At the start of this 18th day, Thursday evening, Biarritz had consolidated its place on the podium by winning at Colomiers (20-16). The Biarrots are now ten lengths behind Vannes, the new leader.
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