Heckled, clumsy and undisciplined, the Rochelais had all the trouble in the world to overcome young Toulouse, valiant and eye-catching, this Saturday evening (22-19). In front of a Marcel-Deflandre stadium which was celebrating a hundredth consecutive match with wickets, the Maritimes were not really celebrating and were saved by the boot of Antoine Hastoy in the final seconds.
At Marcel-Delfandre, this Saturday evening, there was ultimately more spectacle before this meeting than during. Facing a significantly younger Toulouse team – 21.6 years average age for the starting fifteen – Les Rochelais stammered their rugby for 80 minutes. Upset by the aggressiveness and nerve of the visitors, the Maritimes owe their salvation only to a penalty from Antoine Hastoy on the siren (22-19).
A party without fireworks
Unlike Deflandre, who had put on his bright clothes for the occasion, the Rochelais were slow to enter their game, very upset by the willing and generous Toulouse residents. Under pressure, however, the visitors eventually gave in. After a recovery in the ground game, Simon Daroque is countered by Oscar Jégou when clearing the leather. The third line continues his effort, recovers the ball and then transmits it to Tolu Latou who scores the first try of this game (14th). A cruel realization which does not undermine the determination of the people of Toulouse.
In a suspenseful encounter, La Rochelle won without shining against an extremely rejuvenated Toulouse team (19-16). Stade Rochelais relied on a final penalty from Antoine Hastoy at the siren.
The match film > https://t.co/3aPdlGtksL pic.twitter.com/VOmKbKncMY
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1875665645339340952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Cyril Baille and his young gang even manage to hold the ball and push the Rochelais to make a mistake. A strategy which allows Valentin Delpy to pass three penalties to place the Hauts-Garonnais in the lead (20e27e et 35e). Frustrated, and undoubtedly frustrating for the Charente public, Grégory Alldritt and his partners deploy the game just before the siren. Perfectly arrived at height, Oscar Jégou tears the Toulouse defensive curtain and goes behind the line (38e). Ihaia West transforms and La Rochelle returns to the locker room with only three points in advance (12-9).
More information to come…
Morocco
