CWe almost get used to it. By disposing of Auch (25-18) after having already beaten Niort (23-19) and Salles (32-9) a little earlier in the season, SAM brings down a third big name from the pool. The RCA was one of the rare big pieces not yet to have fallen into the Souletine enclosure. This Sunday, the Gersois were once again well on their way to winning after a first half hour of great quality.
The ex-Biarrot Perusin and his partner in the hinge Magnoac managed the game in their hands, the former Blagnac centers Labau and Moleana weighed on the Souletine defense and Auch scored two tries. Both times after well-finished penalties (3-15, 28th). Aguer reduced the gap before the match changed.
Larroude was tackled sharply, a clash ensued and the pillar from Saint-Palais Halzuet punched the Mauléonnais Aubame and received a red card. “This action was a turning point,” admitted SAM hooker Dorian Ciosse. We tightened up and that started our match. » “We used this fact of play,” added center Maxime Rosier. We didn't pull the pin, we remained calm. The crowd pushed us and that gave us momentum for the rest of the match. »
Reaction Mauleon
Aguer added 6 points before the break and Mauléon was only trailing 12-15. The Gersois had the opportunity to take off again in the 46th minute but the penalty 5 meters from the Souletine line was well defended. Opener Magnoac still managed to add 3 points shortly before the hour mark (12-18, 57th). Backed by the wall, SAM once again refused to give up. Leo Le Tiec's teammates failed for the first time on their specialty which is the 5 meter penalty played by hand. But the second one was the right one.
A variation of the usual combination sent Maxime Rosier to the test. “Everyone sees our suits on video from 5 meters away. We therefore try to alternate to surprise our opponents, explained the scorer. We missed it the first time but we tried again. We tightened them up and in two passes, I have the ball and I can go there by walking. » Mauléon led for the first time in the match (19-18, 60th). Auch immediately returned to the Souletin camp and the threat loomed again. But a saving scratch from new entrant Ziegler (64th) gave Mauléon some breathing room.
Decisive finishers
The finishers, in continuation of the holders stifled the Gersois and Aguer once again boss this Sunday (20 points, 7/7), added 2 penalties and Mauléon led 25-18 (75th). The Auscitains fought hard until the final whistle to snatch a draw but the Basques valiantly preserved their victory.
“We are behind by the score but we built our match without panicking. It's really a great victory. We knew it was one of the two big teams in the group. As strong as Niort but with even more will. The shooting window would be small but we did it. » With this success, Mauléon returns to Anglet, which SAM will challenge next Saturday (4 p.m.)
Mauléon 25 – Auch 18
Lieu Mauléon (Marius-Rodrigo stadium). Arbitrator M.Dagon. Half time 12-15.
Mauleon : 1 Rosier try (60th) 1 conversion (61st) and 6 penalties (9th, 32nd, 37th, 40th + 2, 68th, 75th) Aguer Yellow card: Aubame (36th), Perez (45th).
The team Pribat (Arla, 59th), Blondeau (Queheille, 49th), Rosier, Labarriere (Eppherre, 65th), Larroude, (o) Aguer, (m) Dubié, Caballero, Etchebarne (Vermersch, 52nd), Aubame, Darricau (Aguerre, 52nd), Le Tiec (cap), Perez (Ziegler, 57th), Ciosse (Etcheberry, 52nd), Maidana (C.Larramendy, 52nd)
Also : 2 tries Andre (20th), Satto (28th) 1 conversion (29th) and 2 penalties (3rd, 57th) Magnoac Yellow card: Loutocky (48th), Rocca (79th). Red card: Halzuet (36th).
The team Satto, Martiello, Moleana, Labau, Vandekerkof, (o) Magnoac, (m) Perusin, A.Carriere, Andre, Debets (cap), Loutocky, Dardenne, Halzuet, Doms, DuplantierEntrés en jeu : Raynier, Rocca, Raibevu, H .Carriere, Borie, Bouandzi, Verdier, El Youmouri
