In the shock of the fourth day, and the revenge of the last Top 14 final, UBB won in Toulouse (12-16). A huge blow from the Girondins.
We thought Toulouse was untouchable. A big mistake. On the occasion of the 4th day of the Top 14, Stade Toulousain was beaten at home by Union Bordeaux-Bègles (12-16) in the clash at the top which was also the revenge of the last final, largely won by the Haut-Garonnais. Toulouse falls for the first time this season while UBB signs a real feat.
It’s simply historic. For the first time in its history, Union Bordeaux-Bègles won on the pitch at Stade Toulousain. Yannick Bru’s players put in a very good performance, being clinical in attack and a real fortress in defense. A superb benchmark match which allows Bordeaux-Bègles to take the lead in the championship.
A very bad start then the start
The first ten minutes of Bordeaux are more than complicated with a yellow card taken by its pillar Boniface (4th) combined with a try from Blair Kinghorn transformed by Ramos (7th, 7-0). It would have been possible for the UBB to think back to the ghosts of Marseille during the famous last final against the same opponent. However, the youth and freshness of the UBB, represented by Bielle-Biarrey, will allow the Garonne team to score two tries in three minutes.
Louis Bielle-Biarey first of all finishes a good Bordeaux action along the line (18th, 7-8), then Maxime Lucu, on a pass from behind in the evening, will flatten a second try for the UBB (21st, 7-13). The visiting team also benefits from a yellow card taken by Kinghorn for a high tackle (15th). Opposite, Toulouse will not succeed in passing the second and scoring in important moments. The white wall formed by Bordeaux does not give way. In truth, yes, just once in the second half after a maul carried after a throw-in which saw Peato Mauvaka reduce the score (70th, 12-13).
Garcia’s saving boot
Mattéo Garcia consolidated the victory for UBB thanks to a huge kick beyond the halfway line (75th, 12-16) which allowed his teammates to breathe a little easier. Except that, Toulouse did not say its last word and found itself very close to scoring a third try at the very end of the match.
But once again, the Bordeaux defense was present and Toulouse made a mistake which caused the end of the match. The UBB wins for the first time since its merger in 2006 with Ernest-Wallon and writes a beautiful page in its history, a few months after the heavy defeat in the Top 14 final and definitively chases its biggest nightmare away from his mind.
