At the end of a complicated match under the gray Tarn, the CO finally managed to escape the Pau trap. Mathieu Babillot and his teammates won (24-19) against the Section. A very important success for the Tarnais who put an end to a series of three defeats in the Top 14.
At the start of the year, it was not champagne Rugby, but rugby sparkling with Castraise efficiency, which allowed the locals to win. The Béarnais started the match with good intentions, imposing their game in the first minutes. Simmonds quickly opened the scoring with a penalty (0-3, 16th), before adding a second kick a few minutes later (0-6, 20th). However, Pau's indiscipline allowed Castres to get back into the game. After a try from Babillot validated on video (25th), Fernandez transformed into a corner, giving the locals the advantage (7-6).
The Tarnais then capitalized on opposing errors, notably thanks to a successful penalty from Fernandez (29th) and a perfectly executed drop by Popelin (32nd). Pau reduced the gap just before the break thanks to a new penalty from Simmonds (13-9, 36th), but Fernandez gave the locals a seven-length lead before returning to the locker room (16-9, 39th).
A stunning second half
From the restart, Castres took the initiative thanks to a try from Dumora after a good fixation from the forwards (47th), widening the gap to 21-9, despite a missed conversion. Pau tried to react with a good try at the end of the line from Grandidier-Nkanang, validated after video refereeing (70th), bringing the visitors to 24-19 thanks to the transformation of Simmonds. However, the Pau awakening proved to be too late.
In a tense end to the match, the Tarnais showed composure, notably thanks to Chilachava, who scratched a crucial ball in the final seconds (80th)allowing Castres to maintain its lead. A final ball cleared into touch was enough to seal the Tarn success and bring joy to the entire stadium.
France
Rugby
