At Maurice-Boyau, Dax, who had three defeats in Pro D2, responded well to the ambient pressure by crushing Oyonnax (28-15), who made another indigestible copy. With this success, the Landais are giving themselves breathing space with a view to maintaining their position.
In recent weeks, Dax like Oyonnax have been the unfortunates of Friday evenings. And between these two teams plagued by doubt, being the curious people that we are, we really wanted to see who would smile again at the end of these 80 minutes, played in superb conditions.
In front of Maurice-Boyau’s many spectators, Dax ended its series of three defeats in a row by defeating Oyonnax (28-15). With four losses in seven days and a new trip to zero points, Oyo, which aims to climb back into the Top 14, has had a start to the season far from expectations. The Aindinois (12th, 13 points) are already more than one victory away from the top 6. Dubois’ players take their place in the soft underbelly (11th, 16 points).
Dax is the king of the counterattack
The first period looked like an observation round for a long time. Holmes (3rd) and Seguy (7th) struck first. Dax, for his part, put the house in order by relying on his forwards. Iban Hiriart-Urruty, behind a conquering pack, completed a maul (8-3, 24th).
Faithful to Dubois’ playing principles, the Landais used their movement and agile hands to thwart Oyonnax’s plans. Clumsy in touch (3 ammunition lost in the first period, 7 in total), the El Abd gang escaped a possession in the 22 meters of Acquois. A godsend for Puntous, who decided to relaunch. It was a good thing for him, Vatabua came to his support to invest the opposing 40 meters. From one wing to another, Ausset tumbled down the corridor. Following work in the middle, and several passes after contact, Pelepele Lemalu completed this large-scale counterattack (15-3, 29th). An 80-meter try that ignited Maurice-Boyau.
On the ropes, Oyonnax imploded in a few minutes. Shifted to his wing, Qadiri escaped possession when going to the ground. Gatelier, attentive to the closing of the ruck, picked up the ball and jumped, 60 meters further, into the promised land (22-3, 31st).
Despite the yellow card from Kornath (33rd), guilty of a high tackle on Reteau, Farrell’s teammates raised their heads a little through a carried maul. Picault was the last carrier (22-8, 38th).
A wake-up call too late for Oyonnax
The second act was soporific. Dax, thanks to the footing of Seguy and Duprat, managed his advantage by not exposing himself unduly. Oyonnax, locked in his tactical pattern of dispossession, was not able to wrap up this game before the last ten minutes.
Beforehand, Seguy had added a long-distance penalty (25-8, 49th), Lobzhanidze for his part saved a little of what remained of honor to the Oyomen. Coming out of a carried maul, Durand came to play the duel on the closed side, before freeing his arms, with a superb chistera, towards the Georgian (25-15, 70th). Insufficient for an Aindinoise team with a very pale face. The last word went to Seguy (28-15). In a week, Dax will go to Brive. At the same time, Oyonnax will host Béziers and will already have no room for error.
