Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday November 3, 2024 at 11:31 p.m.
Bayonne got the better of Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 this Sunday (12-8), signing a fourth victory in a row. The Rouge et Noir nonetheless remain leaders of the championship thanks to the defensive bonus gleaned on Jean-Dauger's pitch.
In a packed Jean-Dauger stadium, Aviron Bayonnais foiled the plans of Stade Toulousain (12-8) closing the curtain on the 9th day of Top 14. Despite the numerous absences in the Haut-Garonnais ranks (seven players retained in Marcoussis by Fabien Galthié in the French team), the leader of the championship traveled to the Basque Country with a competitive team. Playing on par with the Ciel et Blanc in a constant battle in all sectors of the game, Ugo Mola's men however failed to score a single point before the hour mark.
The Fijian Setareki Bituniyata ended up finding his way to the goal on a serve from Paul Graou to pick up the score (7-5, 62nd). It was the Scotsman Blair Kinghorn, at the end of the match, who gave the Toulouse team the advantage on a penalty (7-8, 74th). With its back to the wall, Rowing then rolled up its sleeves to put pressure on the money-time. And as often, deliverance came from the providential man: Sireli Maqala. The one who had flattened the only try of the first act (7-0, 16th), has therefore done it again, and in a very good way at that. Like his acrobatic try against La Rochelle at Anoeta, the Fijian let his fiery legs do the talking before concluding his personal feat with a nice dive near the right sideline (12-8, 78th).
Bayonne power 4, Toulouse alone in the lead
Thanks to this double from Sireli Maqala, author of eight essays already, Aviron Bayonnais (26 points) signed a fourth victory in a row, synonymous with 4th place in the Top 14one point from La Rochelle. After the international break, the Basques will return to action during the 10th day against Mayol in Toulon. Stade Toulousain (30 points) for its part gleaned a defensive bonus point allowing it to occupy the lead alone in the ranking ahead of Bordeaux-Bègles (29 points). In three weeks, the French champions will return to competition at home against Perpignan.
