At the opening of the 17th day of the championship, in the cool of the Armandie stadium, Agen, despite the early expulsion of Lombart Buret (23rd), raised its head by taking on Biarritz (39-26). Tolot was one of the great architects of the Lot-et-Garonnais success, notably scoring a double.
In the den of the SUA, the bravest, who braved the cold, really wanted to see who would prove the saying false. Both Agen and Biarritz suffered two defeats, the last of which was at home. Searle's partners gave in to Provence Rugby (10-17), while BO gave up to Soyaux-Angoulême (10-25).
In this little game, It was ultimately the Agenais who raised their heads above the water in a stunning and exciting game (39-26). Widely led (5-19), and moreover reduced in numerical inferiority, Tolot's partners showed incredible solidarity. Thanks to this success, Agen (9th, 35 points) passes Biarritz (10th, 35 points).
The expulsion of Lombart Buret woke up Agen
In a very lively first period, with no less than seven tries, each team had its highlight. For almost half an hour, despite the early achievement of Tolot, well offset by Seale (5-0, 3rd), Biarritz dominated the debates.
The Basques, in a very efficient frontal game, took Hebert into the goal. The third row, during this action, was literally pulled by Fa'asalele (0-7, 8th). A quarter of an hour later, the Armandie audience attended the Yohan Tapie show. At the end of a superb counter-attack initiated by Acebes, the clever winger used an overhand kick to open the way to the goal (5-14, 21st). With his head at the bottom of the bucket, Agen suffered an unexpected blow. For a dangerous shift against Beheregaray, Lombard-Buret was sent off (23rd).
Outnumbered, we didn't really pay much for the skin of the SUA. This feeling was reinforced by the situation that followed. Following a penalty, Edgar Retière was forgotten during a reversal of play (5-19, 25th).
-With 14 points behind, Agen had an incredible burst of pride. In the space of a quarter of an hour, Calvet's protégés turned things around. The leader of the revolt had a name: Muscarditz. The captain, as a soloist, escaped Matthews' tackle to slip between the poles (12-19, 28th). Then, the SUA worked wonders around the carried mauls. During the first situation, Gayraud was propelled to the promised land (19-19, 34th). Just before the break, behind a dynamic carried ball, Bellot attacked the five-meter lane before putting his arms out for Tolot (26-19, 40th + 1). In the space of twelve minutes, Agen, outnumbered, scored a resounding 21 to 0.
Biarritz showed a very worrying face
When we returned from the locker room, the dynamic did not change sides. Guilty of a high tackle on Searle, Morgan received a yellow card (49th). Agen, who played with his head, preferred to increase the score thanks to Searle's foot (32-19, 50th and 57th).
Shortly after the hour mark, Kolinio Ramoka, during a new animation coming out of the maul, even gave his team hope of an offensive bonus (62nd, 39-19). Tired by the efforts, and diminished by numerous injuries (Bellot, Muscarditz, etc.), the Agenais were not able to achieve this feat.
At the end of the game, after a solo number, Dolhagaray scored an anecdotal try (39-26, 80th). This achievement did not allow us to take the slightest point in the ranking. Beyond the accounting aspect, the Basques, undisciplined and imprecise in touch, delivered a poor performance. Next week, they will travel to Grenoble with enormous pressure on their shoulders. A little earlier, Friday, Agen will travel to Nevers.
