Sapiac is no longer an impregnable fortress. Undefeated at home this season, Montauban ended up stumbling this Friday evening against Angoulême (20-27). Weighed down by a catastrophic end of the first period and start of the second, the USM tried everything without managing to catch up with the SA XV who confirmed their good intentions away.
The seasons follow each other and are not alike. Victorious in the two clashes between the two teams last season, the Montalbanais were, this time, inclined against the Angoumoisins (20-27). The fault was a scathing 21-0 conceded in the space of ten minutes, spanning both halves. Still as effective on the move, the SA XV has already achieved a fourth away success this season.
Two lightning bolts in the middle of boredom
After a first scare in the very first action of this meeting, the Montalbanais took advantage of a penalty from Jérôme Bosviel to take the lead (8th). Immediately, Ben Botica responded (12th) then Peter Lydon, with a long-range penalty (22nd), allowed the visitors to take the lead again. A very short-lived advantage. On the return, the Angoumoisins break free without managing to get the ball out of touch. When it falls off, Baptiste Mouchous immediately serves Josua Vici who accelerates almost fifty meters and eliminates three defenders to plant the first try of this meeting (23rd). After several blunders on both sides, this first act ends with another individual exploit. Léo Labarthe picks up the leather behind a messed up ruck and accelerates for forty meters to collapse behind the line and score the first try of his young professional career (40th). With Botica's transformation, the SA XV returned to the locker room with a five-point lead (13-8).
A decisive start
An advantage that visitors quickly put to good use after the break. Very incisive this Friday evening, Ben Botica appeared in the middle of the field to intercept a Montalban pass and cool Sapiac (46th). A few minutes later, George Tilsley took charge of completely dashing the hopes of the Tarn-et-Garonne enclosure after the yellow card received by Vici (51st). Coming to mingle with his pack of forwards, the center concludes the good ball carried by his big players (51st). Stunned but not defeated, the Montalbanais reacted immediately thanks to Baptiste Mouchous, who found himself at the conclusion of a long collective movement (54th). Invigorated, the rear and his partners begin to believe in an improbable comeback. A mission made complicated, and even impossible, by the numerous inaccuracies of the USM attackers. Despite a strong try from Tietie Tuimauga (70th), Montauban conceded its first defeat of the season at home (20-27).
-Thanks to this success, Angoulême maintains its seventh place and now finds itself on the heels of its evening opponent, still sixth. During the next day, the Montalbanais will try to raise their heads during a perilous trip on the Béziers lawn. Angoulême will make a second consecutive trip, this time to Oyonnax.
