Yannick Bru’s players had to win, this Thursday at the foot of the ramparts, to keep their hand in the race for second place, synonymous with reception in the semi-finals. And if possible with the offensive bonus. They painstakingly won the defensive bonus, and it’s almost miraculous as their second half was destitute. They were however in numerical superiority most of the time.
Yellow more expensive than red
It was to be the turning point of the match. Rowing led 7-10 and occupied the 22 meters Carcassonne when Martin Dulon arose on Thomas Dolhagaray, without controlling his tackle. Load from shoulder to chin. No other choice for Mr. Nuchy: red card (31st). The Bayonnais were offered fifty minutes in numerical superiority. The opportunity for them to drive the point home to get the offensive bonus, when they had just signed two tries in quick succession. The first, logically refused to Baptiste Heguy, for a slump from Yann David (16th). No regrets. Three minutes later, the visitors concocted a jewel of collective action, with Isaia Toeava at the wand. Comfortable in the game without the ball, the 2011 world champion touched him three times on a sharp offensive, where Rémy Baget and Shaun Venter also played a leading role (7-10).
PHOTO Claude Boyer
Yannick Bru’s players took control for the second time in the match, after the first three points from Gaëtan Germain (6th). If Samuel Marques missed the equalizer (8th), his teammate Aurélien Azar placed USC in front on a school ball (7-3, 11th). Until the reaction of blue and white. That of the yellows came, as often, in numerical inferiority. Led 7-13, they grabbed at the foot (38th) and even returned to equality… in the number of players on the ground after the yellow card inflicted on Mariano Galarza for an anti-game in a maul (40th). The real turning point of the game.
20 points to nothing in 10 minutes
The second half started late, following an incident in the video referee’s locker room. Supporters entered it, the referee came out… and could not return there, for lack of putting his hand back on the key. The people of Carcassonne were on time. They forced the Bayonnais lock along the sideline, on a ball carried about twenty meters. Tim Agaba finished the job (17-13, 42nd). Samuel Marques added a penalty (47th) and Rynard Landman planted the third home try in stride (27-13, 48th). Result of the races: 20 points to nothing in ten minutes, including 17 the time of the benching of the Argentine captain. The band of Clément Doumenc suffocated his opponent.
The return to one more and the enormous coaching operated by the Basque staff did not change anything. Until the hour mark. A full axis breakthrough from Joe Ravouvou put Rowing back in the right direction. Filimo Taofifenua concluded (27-20, 59th). Gaëtan Germain brought his team closer to a four-point success, the only objective now possible (27-23, 73rd). From a mathematical point of view, only. Because the Bayonnais did not deserve victory, this Thursday in Carcassonne. Generous, the locals finished the job. They said goodbye to their opponent with two small « muxus ». In the Aude, we say Mouchous. Baptist, his first name. He signed a drop (77th) and a final penalty (79th). Gaëtan Germain however snatched the defensive bonus after the siren (33-28). This will probably not be enough to play a semi-final at home. In the barrage, the Bayonnais could also find Carcassonne. We are not there yet.