TOP 14 Day 24
Traveling to double European championships, Section knew they would be up against one of the best packs on the continent and that the battle at the front would be key to contention. There was nothing lacking! In a tough and daunting encounter, our Greens and Whites put in a generous and very combative performance.
But the first half wasn’t great…in 20 minutes, Section was up 14 to 15. Jack Maddocks attempted a spontaneous forward (5′) and Thibault Daubagna was penalized for a repeated foul (19′). Warning card. During the same period, Ignacio Calles and Joe Simmonds bled. With all these changes, the confusing section “only” was awarded one try and one penalty. His cohesion and defensive commitment do the rest. Deprived of two scorers Daubagna and Simmonds, our Green and White missed two attempted penalties by Robson and Maddocks. Despite everything, Section was down by eight points (11-3) at the break.
In the second period, the fighting continues and intensifies. Defense takes precedence over offense, and physical challenges become increasingly difficult. The Béarnaise melee faces some difficulties against one of the most conquering rivals on a European scale. Pau’s commitment gave way to indiscipline and 14 penalties were conceded throughout the game. A penalty try (58′ 18-6) and Favre’s cap test (73′ 25-9) put Rochelais in the attacking bonus and the section in an empty move. But that did not depend on the perfect state of mind of Sébastien Piqueronies’ men. A powerful try from Siate Tokolahi after a penalty (77′ 25-16) revived Béarn’s hopes. Hopes were realized in the 80th minute with a penalty kick attempt taken away by the Pau forward.
“I’m very proud of the players’ actions in taking a point back from Deflandre. This is not a trivial matter. But it’s disappointing because we could have done better if it had been more accurate and powerful. This is worth a look. “, explained Sébastien Piqueronies after the match. The section, which is in 7th place amidst an ever-tightening slump, can continue to dream of an exciting finish to the season. There are two days left to qualify for the highest possible ranking. Perpignan Before the event, you’ll need to head to Auxerre to take on Racing 92.
match sheet
Final score: 25-23; Score mi-temps: 11-3
La Rochelle: 3 tries from Nowell (7′), penalty (58′), Favre (72′), 1 conversion from Hastoy (73′), 2 penalties from Hastoy (5′, 24′); 3 warnings for Jegou (75′), Leyds (80′) and Colombe Reazel (80′)
team: Hastoy – Nowell, Favre, Daunivucu (48′ Read), Leyds – (o) West (36′ Reus, 40′ West, 74′ Reus), (m) Berjon (67′ Brunet) – Jegou (53′ Haddad), Alldritt (cap), Cancoriet – Skelton (73′ Jegou), Lavault (61′ Piquette) – Atonio (48′ Colombe Reazel), Lespiaucq (45′ Latu), Penverne (45′ Wardi)
part time job : 2 tries (76′) and penalty (80′) for Tokolahi, 1 conversion (77′) for Simmonds, 3 penalties (11′, 51′, 62′) for Simmonds; Chapter 2 Warnings for Maddocks (5′) and Daubagna (19′)
team: Maddocks – Attissogbe, Gailleton, Decron, Roudil (74′ Desperes) – (o) Simmonds (20′ Robson, 30′ Simmonds), (m) Daubagna (cap) (60′ Robson) – Hamonou (54′ Hewat), Gorgadze , Zegueur (63′ Puech) – S. Whitelock (48′ Ducat), Tagitagivalu – Corato (51′ Tokolahi), Ruffenach (47′ Delhommel), Streets (19′ Chauvac, 27′ Streets, 47′ Chauvac)
Post-match reaction
