Second away victory of the season for Mont-de-Marsan, on the Oyonnax pitch (24-30). The match was not always controlled, but the Landais were able to rely on points from Willie Du Plessis and a resilient defense to win. Especially in a tense end to the match, which could have seen them lose everything. The Oyomen, in crisis, suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, and did not even take the bonus point.
Two months after their first away success, Stade Montois finally did it again at the Charles Mathon stadium in Oyonnax (24-30), relegated from the Top 14. After a difficult first quarter of an hour, they shifted into second gear to take the lead. The match was not easy, but the Landais scored the winning try on the hour mark, before putting up resistance against the final assaults from Aindinois.
A fanfare start
No time to arrive late this evening, since the 30 actors didn't wait for anyone. Laousse Azpiazu found a 50-22 in the 2nd minute, materialized by a penalty from Du Plessis (0-3, 4th). The Oyomen responded immediately with a penalty gleaned from the opposing 22, but by choosing to touch it. Narisia concluded the maul formed (7-3, 7th). On a scrum, wide play, three-way combination in a small space, and Ikpefan was going to flatten into a corner (12-3, 13th). In a similar situation, the Montois went through the ground. Canut started off level, before sending Massé to the test (12-10, 18th). Double penalty for Oyonnax, Mensa receiving a yellow card for the action.
After this long quarter of an hour, the pace slowed down a little, in a sometimes confusing match. The kicking games did not produce big results, and the ball spent a good part of the time between the two 10m lines. The indiscipline of both camps allowed the scorers to grab points. Then in a harmless scrum, Massé had an interval in front of him, launching him into a 50-meter race before being caught at the foot of the posts. His number 8 Faleafa followed well for the conclusion (18-20, 38th). The Montois went in front at the break.
A conclusion under very high tension
The match resumed on the same basis as the end of the first period, with very few dangerous actions and no attempts to get our teeth into. Mensa made a good breakthrough but didn't believe it, and Smith sent the ball behind (59th). The opener had previously given his team the advantage (21-20, 45th). The Landais put a stab at the hour of play, from a throw-in at the 5m level. The line-up combined, and Myles Edwards held off three opponents to get behind the line! (21-27, 62nd)
And the Montois hit the nail on the head. Laousse Azpiazu missed a long penalty (70th), but the clearance was recovered. Du Plessis got into a drop position, and got back on his left foot to add three points (21-30, 71st). Far behind the score, Oyonnax let go more. Holmes took the points on a penalty (24-30, 75th). Good or bad decision? The sequel may have proven him wrong. New penaltouche, and the Aindinois put their forwards to work to achieve victory. Several penalties at 5m were played manually, without going to the end, until Tafili went forward (80+ 3rd). Liberating for Mont-de-Marsan, cruel for Oyonnax, who no longer sees the end of the tunnel. Defeat to 0 points and 14th place in the ranking for the relegated from the elite.
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