Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Saturday December 21, 2024 at 6:51 p.m.
Toulon sees life in pink. Clear winner of Pau (56-25), the XV de la Rade extended its series of victories and at the same time moved to third place in the Top 14. At the same time, Sireli Maqala became the best scorer in Championship tests during Bayonne's success in Vannes (21-27).
If there is one team to avoid at the moment in Top 14, it is Toulon. Winner of his last five matches in all competitions, the XV de la Rade extended the best current series in the Top 14 this Saturday in Mayol by dominating Pau in great width (56-25). Ideally launched by Mattéo Le Corvec (10th), the Rouge et Noir flattened seven tries, including two doubles from wingers Gabin Villière (62nd, 67th) and Gaël Dréan (30th, 77th). On fire, the RCT has dislodged Clermont from third place in the ranking while the Section Paloise, 12th and first non-relegation, has only one unit more than Lyon, 13th and barrier.
The Béarnais were overtaken by the Stade Français, victorious at the same time from Perpignan to Jean-Bouin (24-7). Joe Marchant (18th), Charles Laloi (25th) and Brad Weber (62nd) found their way to the goal in the Parisian ranks. These helped propel the capital club to 10th place in the championship with 23 points. Usap, for its part, fell to 11th position (19 points). Just above these two formations in the ranking, we find in 9th place Racing 92, beaten in Montpellier despite a breathtaking end to the match (21-17). Ibrahim Diallo (70th) gave the answer to Billy Vunipola (16th) but neither this late awakening, nor the yellow card inflicted on Madosh Tambwe, tipped the scales on the Ile-de-France side.
Maqala, top scorer in the Top 14
Montpellier (25 points) breathes and climbs to 8th place. A favorable outcome at the end of an indecisive scenario, Bayonne was lucky to experience an identical fate. At the Rabine stadium against Vannes, the Basques retained their advantage until the end (21-27) despite the achievement of hooker Patrick Leafa (79th). Among Ciel et Blanc, Sireli Maqala once again hit the mark. Decisive for the ninth time this season, he becomes the top try scorer in the Top 14. From a collective point of view, Rowing (4th) remains in contact with Toulon, three points higher. The Breton promotion, however, remains stuck in last place, three lengths from Lyon.
