At the opening of the 11th day, Montauban, impressive in control and efficiency, earned a third away success during its trip to Agen (18-25). This is also the third time in a row that the Green and Black have won in Armandie. This time, the hero is called Jackson, author of a double. With this success, Sapiac takes sole control of the Pro D2.
Before meeting for a new derby, Agen and Montauban had opposite dynamics: the SUA had lost three times in the last five days, at the same time, Sapiac had won four times. And just before the holidays, the objectives were also diametrically different: the Tarn-et-Garonnais wanted to regain the throne of the championship while putting pressure on Provence Rugby and Grenoble, the Lot-et-Garonnais wanted to extricate themselves from the soft underbelly get closer to the top 6.
In this game of seven differences, it was Montauban, although sluggish last week against promoted Nice, who emerged victorious against Agen (18-25). With this success, the Tillous Borde gang takes back the throne of Pro D2 with 31 points. For the SUA, the matter is very bad. With this second setback of the season at home, Lebian’s partners (9th, 21 points) will slide to the bottom of the ranking following tomorrow’s results.
Sapiac was diabolical on the counterattack
In a game played on a very wet pitch, Montauban better managed the playing conditions in the first act by winning the battle for territory thanks to the length of the game at the foot of the Bosviel – Mouchous duo. But Sapiac didn’t just kick the ball. The Green and Black made perfect use of the hazardous Agen defensive climbs.
At the start of the game, Bosviel showed his malice. The opener pretended to play kick before opening a door for Mouchous. The fullback broke the defensive line, then served to his outside Vici. The Fijian, challenged by a defender, knew how to stay on the field and made, at the moment of his fall, a decisive chistera for Renda. A 60-meter achievement which set the tone for this meeting (0-5, 5th).
After an exchange of good tactics between Bosviel, author in particular of his fifth drop of the season (3-11, 15th and 30th), and Searle, who slammed the first and only points of the SUA in the first act (3-8, 16th), Montauban dived once again on the counterattack.
Vici, formidable this evening, stole an attack ball from the SUA within its 22 meters. Sapiac looked for air on Ahmed’s wing. The winger, in a solo raid, dropped his opponents with a kick over the curtain. Serenely, the former Stade Français Paris player did not go too far and offered, on a plate, a try to JT Jackson. An 80-meter ball recovery scored between the posts (3-18, 40th).
A comeback in vain for Agen
Unhappy with the face shown by his team, Sébastien Calvet changed everything in his three-quarter line upon returning from the locker room: Maunder, Searle and Ramoka bore the brunt of this anger. With a new Bellot – Pourteau hinge, Agen was able to reverse the balance of power in terms of the occupation of the territory.
After a catch in the axis, Pourteau, in spirit, undertook a reversal of direction to serve, with a diagonal at the foot, Etcheverry. The winger deceived Ahmed, before diving into a corner (8-18, 49th). With a penalty from the same Pourteau, the SUA started to believe in it again (11-18, 58th).
Underwater, Montauban raised his head in counterattack. During a long clearance from Bosviel, Darchen stuttered his reception. Attentive, Ringuet pushed the ball to his feet before throwing himself on the leather. In support, Jackson scored without opposition (11-25, 69th). A twist of fate, which broke the dynamics of the premises.
At the end of the game, for the honor, Matthieu Bonnet made the bill a little lighter. A meager consolation (18-25, 73rd). After the truce, Agen will go to Béziers. A day earlier, in a shock at the top of the table, Montauban will make a second trip to Brive.
