the essential
Despite a rather interesting first act, the “Vert et noir” logically suffered the law of the Grenoble leader, this Thursday evening, at the Stade des Alpes (35-15). And have undoubtedly once again paid for their indiscipline, with an expulsion.
The Sapiacains affirmed that traveling to Grenoble to find the land was not such a bad thing after all. No doubt defeat was anticipated. In that respect, they had the right prognosis. Despite everything, the USM did not founder. A lesser evil. A high tackle from Josua Vici at the start is quickly erased by a first carried ball which goes to queen, and the try scored by… Josua Vici (0-5, 3rd). The Grenoblois reacted immediately but were penalized twice in a row, which allowed Thomas Fortunel to already create a first gap (0-8, 9th). Realism is in the camp of the visitors who realize their first two possibilities. Opposite, the FCG turns its back, and in turn goes behind the line through its marker Wilfried Hulleur (7-8, 16th). The Grenoblois regain the tempo, even finding themselves in numerical superiority with an expulsion for Josua Vici. At 14 for an hour, the Montalbanais conceded a second try in stride, on a ball carried perfectly controlled in the axis, which allowed the FCG to take the lead for the first time (14-8, 23rd). Stunned for a few minutes, the Sapiacains returned their noses to the window and missed two penalties in a good position, by Baptiste Mouchous, and Thomas Fortunel. Despite everything, the USM is holding up. Just before the end of the first act, the residents of the Stade des Alpes have the opportunity to make the break in their turn, but too much haste prevents them from doing so, as in this shift, but the pass to the foot of Sam Davies is much too high. At the break, USM still remained in the game.
words
Sébastien Tillous-Borde (manager): “I think the red card came early in the match. We were no longer able to put down the match like during our successful start to the match. However, we never gave up the match, being able to resist fourteen. Unfortunately there was a gap of a few minutes at the start of the second half which allowed the Isérois to make the difference. We would have had to be clinical about all the details to hope to bring something back from this trip. Even though we haven’t won in a while, the players don’t have their heads in the bottom of the bucket. The players are ready to get back up in the standings, and for that we have an ultra-important match awaiting us next Friday, at Sapiac, when we host Valence Romans. We will be at home, and we will have to put in a great match in all areas of the game.”
Maxime Mathy (center): “It was our indiscipline that got us into trouble again. We received a red card for a stupid foul. We have seen that when Grenoble accelerates, they are able to show that they are not leaders for nothing. We never gave up on our spirits in this match, otherwise the cost would have been much heavier for us. We now have a big reception ahead of us at Sapiac, that of Valence-Romans, next Friday. We’re going to have to do a big week of preparation to start the year off right in Sapiac. It did me a lot of good to start again after a long absence. My physical trainer Max, and the physiotherapists who never gave up on me must be thanked for their support. It feels good to play rugby again. »
Romain Fusier (center, captain of Grenoble): “We did good things against a great Montauban team, even if we had a few hiccups. This is proof that we still have work to do. For a replay, it was important to win and with the offensive bonus it is even better. »
Wilfried Hulleu (Grenoble winger): “I don’t think we can talk about a successful match. It is certain that we must do much better than tonight. We let ourselves be exhilarated by playing in numerical superiority for an hour. We sometimes didn’t keep the ball well enough in this match. »
Collected by Rémi-Constant Belrepayre.
The offensive bonus for the Isérois
It only took five minutes for the Grenoblois to make the difference at the start of the second act, with two tries scored almost in quick succession, the first after several minutes of play, and the second on a recovery ball (28-8, 45th). The offensive bonus point acquired, the Grenoblois then left their hands on the ball to the Tarn-et-Garonnais who had good ammunition, but lost the throw five meters from the line. The USM tries what it can, and the game becomes more and more unbridled between two teams who do not hesitate to take risks on each possession, like this interception by Kylian Ringuet, but in the end the Sapiacains commit a new advance in a good position (60th). It’s time for the Montalban staff to do some coaching and launch Max Mathy into the arena for his big return to competition after a knee injury last April. The Grenoblois will try to ensure their defensive bonus despite a completely faulty touch. This bonus will be consolidated on an 80 meter restart, ten minutes from the end. As is often the case, Baptiste Mouchous’ final try won’t change anything. USM has only collected one point in the last five games, with 25 points at stake.
