Despite a reshuffled team, with several young players in its 23, the Bayonnais largely won in Tbilisi against the Black Lion. Victorious 16-41, they took the offensive bonus. In this meeting, the less used Basque backs like Erbinategaray, Hannoun or Meghdoud stood out. Bayonne, like the Black Lion, is still in the race for qualification in this group 3!
Having left for Tbilisi with a somewhat reshuffled team and many young people, Aviron Bayonnais carried out a good operation with a view to qualifying for the round of 16, since the Basque club won with the offensive bonus, against the Black Lion, 16-41. Thanks to this success, Bayonne is tied for second with Gloucester in the ranking, who will arrive at Jean-Dauger next Sunday.
On the night in Tbilisi, it was the local team, coached by Englishman Richard Cockerill, who got off to the best start. Strong in the front fight, the Black Lion players quickly took the advantage in the score, with two penalties scored by international opener Luka Matkava (3-0, 2nd then 6-0, 6th). Sanctioned three times (in six minutes) at the start and deprived of balls, Bayonne really entered its match shortly before the quarter of an hour of play, when Baptiste Héguy, in force, scored the first points for his team . On this action, the sky and white captain confirmed the choice of his team, who had preferred to play the penalty by hand rather than take the points (6-7, 12th).
Less than five minutes later, having entered the game a moment earlier while Xan Mousques underwent a concussion protocol, full-back Cheikh Tiberghien brought all his power to bear, as he took four defenders with him and scored the second try of his team (6-14, 17th). The Basques’ rather comfortable lead, however, faded as the first period progressed. Shortly before the half-hour mark, Matkava passed a new penalty (9-14, 27th), Germain responded from 45 meters (9-17, 29th) and on the siren, number eight Luka Ivanishvili, in force , allowed the Black Lion to return to the locker room with only a small point behind (16-17, 40+ 1st).
Double for Hannoun
In the second half, Aviron bayonnais completed and scored four new tries. First it was Victor Hannoun who took advantage of a mix-up at the foot of Matkava, under pressure following the good defensive climb from Guillaume Martocq, to give Rowing some breathing space (16-22, 43rd). This same Hannoun, around ten minutes later, was the fastest into the Georgian goal. On this offensive, the international Sevens concluded a first game at the foot of Erbinartegaray, extended by Martocq (16-29, 53rd).
At the Mikheil-Meskhi stadium, hooker Lucas Martin, who entered the game early in place of the injured Torsten van Jaarsveld (2nd), scored his fifth try of the season on a well-negotiated carried ball (16-34, 62nd). Finally, it was Guillaume Martocq who sealed the score. A quarter of an hour from the end of the match, the number twelve, author of a good match, broke through the Georgian defense after a good pass from Tom Spring (16-41, 65th). The final point of a match generally controlled by Rowing.
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