Yves Donguy bashes it up for Toulouse
Toulouse scrapped to a narrow win over Montauban on Saturday while Perpignan's match in Bayonne was called off because of an outbreak of swine 'flu.
Bayonne president Francis Salagoïty has launched an official protest with the LNR after the Basques' match with the defending champions was postponed at the last minute when three Perpignan players came down with the H1N1.
Elsewhere, Brive finally found some form and romped past Montpellier in a morale-boosting win for the struggling big spenders.
A bonus-point win at home to Bourgoin lifted Clermont to second in the standings.
On Friday, Castres moved five points clear at the top of the standing on with a 34-6 win while Toulon edged Stade Français 22-18 in Paris.
Results:
Friday, November 27
Stade Français 18-22 Toulon
Castres 34-6 Biarritz
Racing Métro 9-6 Albi
Saturday, November 28
Toulouse 17-12 Montauban
Montpellier 3-25 Brive
Bayonne v Perpignan - postponed
Clermont 32-3 Bourgoin
Standings:
1 Castres 46
2 Clermont 41
3 Perpignan 41
4 Toulouse 40
5 Toulon 38
6 Racing Metro 35
7 Stade Français 33
8 Biarritz 32
9 Brive 29
10 Montpellier 29
11 Montauban 26
12 Bayonne 23
13 Bourgoin 23
14 Albi 15
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Stade Toulousain 17-12 Montauban
Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse
After all Guy Novès' kicking and screaming, he still managed to line-up a starting XV packed with internationals. That said, Florian Fritz had to start at centre despite his knee injury and David Skrela came off the bench long before reaching full-fitness.
Toulouse dominated the opening exchanges, but Montauban were first to touch down when former Toulouse player Mathieu Bélie fed his half-back partner, South African medical joker Len Olivier, who scored after 23 minutes.
The visitors led 7-6 at half time but down to thirteen men after Emanuel Etien and Mathew Clarkin were shown yellow cards. It didn't seem to matter as Julien Laharrague scored in the corner after an attacking line-out.
With Novès throwing his toys on the touchline, Toulouse stepped it up a a gear Rémi Lamérat took Fred Michalak's pass to barge over from short range.
Michalak then put Toulouse ahead with a penalty before young Nicolas Bézy secured the game with a effort from half way.
Montauban must settle for a losing bonus point, but it could have been much more if it weren't for their poor discipline.
_____________________________________________________________________
Montpellier HRC 3-25 CA Brive-Corrèze
Stade Yves Du Manoir, Montpellier
Montpellier's winning streak came to a grinding halt as Brive finally hit their straps. The scoreline is a little harsh on les Montpelliérains, who conceded two intercept tries in the final ten minutes.
A bonus point win will do the world of good for les Brivistes as they some breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.
Alexis Palisson gave Brive a 5-0 lead at the break thanks to same fancy footwork from Nicolas Jeanjean.
The wheels came off the Montpol cart with ten minutes to play when FijianViliame Waqaseduadua made the score 16-3 with an intercept try from half way.
With the home side in full attack mode, Palisson secured the bonus point in the final minute with another intercept try from 70m out.
_____________________________________________________________________
Postponed: Aviron Bayonnais v USA Perpignan
Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne
Bayonne president Francis Salagoïty is fuming. According to reports from France he was only told that the match would be postponed late on Friday.
The hosting club are not convinced that Perpignan are playing fair, pointing out that if the Catalan's players had come down with the swine 'flu, they would have know about it at least 72 hours before.
You can understand Salagoïty's anger when you consider Perpignan will now be able to play the match with all of their internationals back. USAP and the LNR will have to come up with some answers on Monday.
________________________________________________________________________
Clermont Auvergne 32-3 CS Bourgoin-Jallieu
Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin, Clermont Ferrand
Clermont scored their first win in a maonth and a half with a bonus point to boot.
Over looked by the national team, Clermont captain Aurelie Rougerie was in devastating form.
Comments
Be the first to comment on this story..