In a match made complicated by torrential rain, UBB managed to win on the Castres field. A look back at a tough encounter which allowed the Bordelais to temporarily take the lead in the Top 14…
Saturday evening, for the 12th day of Top 14, the Union Bordeaux-Bègles achieved a brilliant coup by winning on the pitch of Castres Olympique in Dantean conditions. Under heavy rain making kicking dangerous and ball transmission complicated, Yannick Bru's men were able to show resilience and opportunism to achieve a precious victory.
This 13 to 3 success, acquired thanks to a try from Yoram Moefana at the end of the first period and two penalties from the Irishman Carbery, allows the UBB to temporarily take control of the championship while awaiting the result in Toulouse on Sunday evening. A nice move achieved without several executives like Matthieu Jalibert or Maxime Lucu, retained with the XV of France.
A bitter confrontation under downpours of water
The Pierre Fabre stadium looked like a swimming pool on this rainy Saturday evening. Far from optimal conditions for developing a fluid and spectacular game. For 80 minutes, the two teams played a very closed game, using excessive candles and kicking to try to make the opponent make a mistake. Many approximations and errors punctuated the debates, making the meeting quite messy.
The Castres surely missed their chance in the first half when they were playing with the wind at their backs. The UBB knew how to keep their backs round, containing the opposing offensives to strike better just before the break. The airtight Bordeaux defense thwarted the locals. Conversely, the Unionists were able to be realistic in making their key moment a reality. A cold realism that ended up paying off.
Yoram Moefana's decisive essay
It was international Yoram Moefana who made the difference just before half-time. Receiving a pass at the foot of Zack Holmes, the powerful three-quarter center resisted the return of the defenders to flatten with force. A strong test which rewarded the Bordeaux self-sacrifice. Without being flamboyant, Yannick Bru's players were able to demonstrate a solid esprit de corps to pull through in this locked-in match.
In the second half, with the support of the wind, the UBB held the ball more, depriving Castres of ammunition. The Bordeaux scrum gradually took the upper hand, allowing valuable penalties to be obtained, converted by Carbery. The Castres tried to react but came across a blue and white wall. Without a solution, they had to concede their fifth defeat of the season at home.
A crucial victory in the race for the top 6
This away success allows UBB to consolidate its place in the top 6 and put pressure on their rivals. We know the importance of performing well in the regular phase to hope to qualify directly for the semi-finals. Christophe Urios' men confirm their current good form and have a fourth consecutive success in all competitions.
They will have to confirm next weekend with the reception of Racing 92, a direct competitor for the top 6. A new shock where it will be necessary to repeat the same united state of mind, hoping that the weather conditions allow them to develop more Thu. The UBB in any case seems well equipped to play the leading roles this season and hope to land a first Brennus.
Hot reaction from Louis Le Brun, Castres scrum half
Obviously disappointed, the young scrum half Louis Le Brun expressed his feelings after the match: “It's annoying because we had the weapons to annoy them more. But in these complicated conditions, we were unable to put our game in place. We were sanctioned on details. We will have to correct that next week in Perpignan. The championship is still long but at home, we need to get a better result. »
Now 7th, Castres will have to work hard to get back to the qualified ranks. For UBB, this benchmark victory should serve as a trigger before a hopefully thrilling end to the season. The Bordelais have proven that they have what it takes to play for the title. Response in the coming weeks…
