Bordeaux-Bègles brings down Toulouse at home after 33 victories: Sunday evening, at the end of the fourth day of the Top 14, Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) achieved a remarkable performance. The Girondins beat Stade Toulousain (12-16), thus ending a series of 33 home victories for the Toulousains. This victory allows the Bordeaux team to take the lead in the championship.
A heroic defense of Bordeaux-Bègles
The match was played at Ernest-Wallon, a stadium where Toulouse seemed invincible. However, UBB, led by Maxime Lucu, demonstrated a solid defense. Toulouse’s attempted ball attempts were quickly neutralized. Faced with pressure from the Toulouse public, the Bordelais knew how to stay focused and seize their chances.
Stade Toulousain nevertheless took the lead in the 7th minute. After a series of attacks, Thomas Ramos gave Blair Kinghorn a try. At that moment, the Bordelais were playing outnumbered, after a yellow card from Ugo Boniface. But the Bordeaux reaction was not long in coming.
The people of Bordeaux react quickly
Bordeaux-Bègles took advantage of the temporary exclusion of Blair Kinghorn in the 16th minute. This allowed them to reorganize their scrum and create a surplus. Louis Bielle-Biarrey took the opportunity to score Bordeaux’s first try in the 19th minute.
A few minutes later, Maxime Lucu orchestrated a new attack. After an aggressive defensive build-up, he recovered a ball and, with the help of Bielle-Biarrey, scored a second try. This allowed Bordeaux-Bègles to widen the gap (7-13).
An insufficient last Toulouse effort
Toulouse tried to get back into the match, notably thanks to a try from Peato Mauvaka in the 70th minute. But the Bordeaux defense held firm. Opening substitute Mateo Garcia sealed the victory with a 56-yard penalty in the 75th minute, making the score 12-16.
A decisive victory for Bordeaux-Bègles
This victory allows Union Bordeaux-Bègles to take first place in the Top 14. Toulouse, for its part, suffered its first defeat at home in 33 matches. The Bordelais thus show that they are serious contenders for the title this season.
