After a victory at Mayol against Montpellier last weekend, the RCT moves to Pays Basque to end the month of March. For this crucial meeting for the rest of the season, the men of Pierre Mignoni confront theRowing Bayonnais to the Reale Arena of San Sebastian. Sixth in the championship at kick-off, the Rugby Club Toulonnais must create the feat of defeating the Bayonne in front of their audience to stay in the race for the final stages. And it’s done! Our Toulonnais won with style and the offensive bonus with a score of 10 to 46!
From the beginning, Toulon takes control of the match. Melvyn Jaminet scores twice in the first ten minutes (10′, 0-6). The locals score their first points thanks to the foot of Camille Lopez ten minutes later (20′, 3-6). But, the men of Pierre Mignoni got back into the match well and were the first to flatten the ball in the opposing goal. After a lost touch, Duncan Paia’aua intercepts a pass Matis Perchaud and goes alone for the test (21′, 3-13). Bayonne tries to react with a tryArthur Fountain a few minutes later (25′, 10-13). But nothing helps, Toulon is stronger tonight. The game proposed by the Toulonnais is effective and defeats that of theRowing Bayonnais.
With a third penalty of Melvyn Jaminet, Toulon chain the points (30′, 10-16). They are also impassable on defensive actions. The Bayonne pack is penalized a few meters from the Toulon goal and on the same action Toulon returns to the locals’ camp. After a big highlight in front of the goal line of Bayonne, Brian Alain’u’ese strongly marks the second try of the evening for our Red Black (39′, 10-21). Melvyn Jaminet continues its flawless performance by transforming the test and allows Toulon to lead 10 to 23 at the break (40′, 10-23).
As soon as they return to the lawn, the Toulonnais continue to dominate this Bayonne team. On the kick-off, Gabin Villière scratches the ball and allows Melvyn Jaminet to score three points upon returning from the locker room (42′, 10-26). Then, for his first start since his return to competition, Baptiste Serin marks the third try for his team. He counters the game at the foot of Camille Lopez and single file flatten (45′, 10-33). The teammates of And Biggar are unleashed and continue to put pressure on the opponents in the evening. For the first time this evening, Melvyn Jaminet misses a penalty. But he quickly made up for it with a new penalty more than 50 meters away from the posts (52′, 10-36). Then with another penalty a few minutes later (57′, 10-39).
Pierre Mignoni launches its finishers onto the pitch, who face a Bayonne team which is doing everything to come back to the score. But there too, nothing works. Toulon will win this match. An additional attempt is then required to obtain the offensive bonus and enter the Rade with smile. A try that is scored nine minutes before the final whistle. Leicester Fainga’anuku plays on the defense of the premises to double up with Charles Ollivon on the left wing 20 meters from the goal and goes to flatten the bonus try for the RCT (71′, 10-46). We must now maintain the result or even worsen the score with a new attempt. A try that almost saw the light of day with a minute to go. But, one step forward Toulonnais stops the action ten meters from the goal. Don’t panic, the match is over and Toulon wins with offensive bonus against Bayonne (80′, 10-46).
Thanks to this victory, Toulon take it fourth place in Top 14 before a two-week break. Our Red Black will be on vacation for a week before returning to management of the Campus RCT to prepare for the shock Red Black the Saturday April 20 at theOrange Velodrome facing Toulouse Stadium !