Toulouse holds off a draw against an attractive Lyon team

What a game ! At the end of an intense, close and lively meeting, Stade Toulousain was held by a great team from Lyon (17-17) at the end of the 12th day of Top 14 this Sunday evening. Ugo Mola's players therefore leave first place in the championship to UBB, winner of Castres the day before.

Europe has rekindled the desire and the flame of the Lyonnais. Facing a reshuffled team from Stade Toulousain, LOU got their hands on the ball from the kick-off, depriving Toulouse of ammunition. And fortunately for the Lyonnais because after a first penalty from Berdeu (8', 3-0), Paul Graou, on one of the rare Toulouse munitions, quickly plays a hand penalty from 22 meters. Three passes later, Bituniyata accelerates on his wing and finds Graou inside for his team's first try (10', 3-7).

Toulouse clumsy and imprecise

But Toulouse is too undisciplined and clumsy in touch. Lyon took advantage of this with Berdeu's address to get back into the lead and get back in front (19', 9-7).
If Niniashvili saves a try that seemed ready by snatching a ball from Vergé in front of his goal (25'), the Lyonnais, although dominant, are only too little dangerous like Stade Toulousain.

Without their executives, the reigning French champions seem to lack inspiration. The Lyonnais respect their game plan perfectly with a lot of kicking in the air, where Niniashvili reigns supreme, and in occupation to put pressure in Toulouse's 22 meters. Just before the siren, on a low kick, Capuozzo was surprised by the rebound of the ball which escaped his hands under pressure from Niniashvili. Ioane follows and scores his 3rd try of the season (40+1', 14-7).

Despite the half-time rest, Niniashvili did not cool down and came close to scoring Lyon's second try after the breakaway and the kick from Couilloud (51'). A story of 10 centimeters… Under pressure Toulouse must wait until the hour mark and a yellow card against Blanc-Mappaz to wake up (57').

Berdeu had two match points

Kinghorn escapes Radradra and crosses the field to the opposing 22 meters. He gets a penalty and after a well-structured maul, Théo Ntamack escapes to flatten in goal and restart the match. Especially since Kinghorn adjusts the sights and transforms into an angle to put the two teams back on par (17-17). Anthony Jelonch comes very close to scoring a try, which could have been decisive, but Saghinadze turns the international third row on his back and leaves LOU in the match.

Back at 15 against 15, Lyon regains momentum and returns to the Toulouse camp. The LOU even obtained two penalties in the last minutes but Léo Berdeu twice missed the opportunity to give the locals the advantage and therefore let Toulouse leave Lyon with the two points from the draw. A result which satisfies neither LOU, still 13th, nor Stade Toulousain which leaves UBB at the top of the Top 14.