Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday December 22, 2024 at 11:31 p.m.
Lyon and Toulouse separated with a score of parity (17-17) at the end of the 12th day of Top 14. The Rhone residents left the red zone while the French champions came back, tied with UBB, in top of the championship.
When hosting Stade Toulousain in the closing match of the 12th day of the Top 14, Lyon could fear suffering a sixth disappointment in a row and thus accentuate the worst current series of the championship. And yet, at the final whistle, the most disappointed with the sharing of points (17-17) were indeed Lyonnais. Because in addition to leading 17-10, Karim Ghezal's men missed the target twice in the last quarter of an hour to regain the advantage in the score. At long distance of course, Léo Berdeu nevertheless missed two consecutive penalties (78th, 75th).
In a day without, the LOU opening half also failed when converting Monty Ioane's try just before the break (14-7, 40th +2). Spinning, the transalpine international materialized an error of judgment from Ange Capuozzo on the cover in his 22 meters, offering at that precise moment a try transformed in advance to his team. Gold, despite the absences of their stars Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, the reigning French champions have caught up thanks to the latter's little brother, Théo Ntamack, at the conclusion of a ball carried following a penalty (17-17, 65th).
Toulouse did not regain leadership of the Top 14
Previously, Stade Toulousain had gotten off to a good start with Paul Graou's try (3-7, 10th) who continued to demonstrate that he represented much more than a luxury understudy for Antoine Dupont. This draw doesn't really help Toulouse which even if it came back to the level of the UBB (41 points) could not reestablish itself alone on the throne of leader of the Top 14. On the Lyon side, the two points from the draw put an end to the dark series of five defeats. Victory is still awaited but from an accounting point of view, LOU (11th, 20 points) overtakes Perpignan and Pau, new roadblock in 13th position.
As part of the last day of the calendar year, Stade Toulousain will host Stade Français next Sunday. Lyon will visit Racing 92.
