TOP 14 Day 2
After their first away defeat in Auvergne (a 39-7 defeat at Clermont-Ferrand), Sébastien Piqueronies’ men needed to look up and what better way to start the season than with a Basque-Béarnaise showdown in a sold-out Hamlet?
The two teams set the tone early on, with long sequences against each other without scoring. Camille Lopez unlocks a counter (7′ 0-3) before Joe Simmonds responds (17′ 3-3). Section came close to the opponent’s goal several times but was met by a very solid defense. Bayonne, who was penalized several times, was yellow carded (22′) and Section had two chances to score. This time he crossed the goal line well! First with Daubagna at the ruck (23′ 10-3) and then Picquette between the poles (28′ 17-3). A penalty on the road gave Palois a good 20-3 lead at the break.
The second period was a real test crossing and the Hameau grass was a sight to behold! Spring was quick to close the gap (47′ 20-10) but Jack Maddocks levelled the team’s third try with a fine effort from Aymeric Luc (50′ 27-10). Daubagna’s double (52′ 32-10) followed shortly after and Maqala responded (57′ 32-17). We continued to score the first try in the Béarnais jersey with a blistering pace from Aymeric Luc (50′ 39-17). Machenaud, who attempted an interception, brought Bayonnais back to 39-22 (65′) before Mousques scored the team’s fourth goal (70′ 39-29). With less than 10 minutes left to play, the Béarn show continued with a Tagitagivalu try from an offload from Kpoku (76′ 46-29). 6 tries 4 and the attack bonus is not checked, the section is all out and like a symbol, Aymeric Luc gives a 5 point win in the attempt along the line (80 ’51-29)!
If the Bearnes game on Saturday afternoon was so enjoyable and effective, it was because they could rely on the most reliable and solid conquest! The forwards responded 100% to the scrums and throw-ins and fired a great third quarter that allowed them to embody the work of their teammates. It was a great team win to start the sectional season. Next Saturday, our green and white team will return to Stade Rochelais before hosting Stade Français Paris in two weeks to confirm today’s good form.
Match Sheet
Final Score: 51-29 ; Score mi-temps : 20-03
part time job : 7 tries from Daubagna (23′, 53′), Picquette (27′), Maddocks (50′), Tagitagivalu (75′), Luc (59′, 80′), 5 conversions from Simmonds (24′, 28′) 51′, 59′, 76′), 2 penalties to Simmonds (17′, 35′)
team: Maddocks – Attissogbe, Gailleton, Decron (52′ Manu), Luc – (o) Simmonds, (m) Daubagna (60′ Daubagna) – Credoz (71′ Picquette), Gorgadze (cap), Zegueur (56′ Kpoku) – Picquette (52′ Tagitagivalu), Jolmes – Williams (52′ Zabala), Rey (52′ Delhommel), Parrou (45′ Bibi-Biziwu)
Bayonne: 4 attempts from Spring (46′), Maqala (56′), Machenaud (65′), Mousques (70′), 3 conversions from Lopez (47′), Segonds (57′, 71′), 1 penalty from Lopez (7′); 1 yellow card to Tagi (21′).
team : Spring – Mousques, Maqala, Erbinartegaray (53′ Martocq), Megdoud – (o) Lopez (cap) (53′ Segonds), (m) Germain (48′ Machenaud) – Chouzenoux (53′ Heguy), Cassiem, Bruni (25′ Tatapou, 33′ Bruni) – Moon, Iturria (53′ Marcoa) – Tagi (48′ Tatapou), Giudicelli (48′ Bosch), Bordelais (57′ Castillon)
Post-match reaction
