Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday December 29, 2024 at 8:28 p.m.
Facing a big fish from the Top 14, La Rochelle, Perpignan gleaned a victory full of character (21-13) as the year 2024 ends. Usap will thus be able to wake up on December 31 relieved to have left the area red.
The crowd at the Aimé-Giral stadium is undoubtedly one of the most fervent in France. This Sunday for the 13th day of Top 14, Perpignan fans once again fully played their role as sixteenth man during the reception of La Rochelle, beaten 21-13. Defeated during their two previous outings at home (against Toulon in the Top 14 and Connacht in the Challenge Cup), Franck Azéma's protégés did well. Carried by the famous Catalan furia, they took control of operations through Tavite Veredamu.
The ex-France 7 player found himself at the conclusion of a well-led attack by Usap (5-3, 12th)capping off his sensational match which saw him cover over 100 meters with ball in hand and eliminate a huge number of defenders. Then as the half-hour mark approached, Ignacio Ruiz completed a piercing maul from the forward pack (18-6, 29th). The Argentinian signed the first try of its kind this season in the Catalan ranks. The increased lead proved decisive because upon returning from the locker room, Perpignan only scored one penalty, the work of Tommaso Allan (21-6, 43rd).
La Rochelle remains at the top of the Top 14
The Maritimes, too clumsy and undisciplined, especially in the battle of the rucks, nevertheless responded with a goal from Levani Botia who sent Tom Ecochard flying to achieve his goals (21-13, 52nd). A reaction without follow-up however. Usap therefore waited until the end of the year to break its series of three consecutive losses in the Top 14 and thus escape from the red zone.. Now 12th (23 points), the Sang et Or are one unit ahead of the new barrage, Lyon. La Rochelle will return from Occitanie empty-handed. However, Jonathan Danty and his partners retain 6th place in the ranking.
