Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Saturday October 19, 2024 at 4:52 p.m.
Aviron Bayonnais excelled this Saturday to dominate Racing 92 with a score of 32-15. This success temporarily propels the Basques to third place on the Top 14 podium.
This is no longer a surprise, for several seasons Aviron Bayonnais has had no inferiority complex in the Top 14. A fortiori in its fortress of Jean-Dauger where the Ciel et Blanc hosted Racing 92 this Saturday at the opening of the 7th round, sold out. A packed stadium for the 26th time in a row, scene of another grandiose performance from the locals. Pragmatic at first, they took the lead through Joris Segonds on a penalty (6-0, 12th). Then before the break, Facundo Bosch achieved one of the many Basque highlights (13-0, 33rd).
In the second half, the Bayonnais stepped on the accelerator, finding their way to the goal three times. Untenable, Sireli Maqala hit the mark again a week after his fantastic try at Anoeta against La Rochelle (20-3, 44th). Mateo Carreras then signed a performance full of panache on his wing (25-3, 57th) before Lucas Martin planted Rowing’s fourth try (32-3, 63rd). Ultra-dominant, Grégory Patat’s men nevertheless lowered the intensity cursor and this is paid at a high price in the Top 14. With two lightning strikes in three minutes, the Racingmen struck twice and took away Jean’s residents -Increase the offensive bonus.
Bayonne 3rd in Top 14
Dan Lancaster (65th), the manager’s son, then Clovis Le Bail at the end of a nice collective ball recovery punctuated by a grandiose pass fake softened the score for the Ile-de-France residents (32-15, 68th). In the ranking this translates into the rise of Rowing Bayonnais to the third step of the podium before the continuation of this 7th round of the championship. The bonus lost along the way will, however, leave regrets for the Basques who could have had a head start over La Rochelle. As for Racing 92, this poor performance interrupts a mini-series of two consecutive successes. It also endangers Gaël Fickou and others, 9th but under threat among others from Clermont in the second part of the table.
