Dominant, but clumsy, Provence Rugby finally won and recovered the offensive bonus point against Stade Montois in a crazy match (45-30)
Provence Rugby did the job, but got scared against Stade Montois. A 45-30 victory with the offensive bonus which allows the locals to climb to third place in the standings.
A start to the match in fanfare
There was some spectacle. A match that started very strongly at the Maurice David Stadium. On the first foray of Stade Montois on a harmless ball over the top, Léo Drouet misses and lets Yoann Larousse slip away who allows Eroni Sau to score the first try of the match. Christophe Loustalot is responsible for transforming it. In the process, Provence Rugby recovered with a try scored by Loïck Jammes (transformed by Jules Plisson).
The Aixois got back into the match thanks to this quick equalization and will gain the upper hand by being more conquering. Even the visitors are ready to exploit the slightest error from the players in black, clumsy in this match like Jules Plisson's missed penalty in the 12th minute. Inaccuracies which annoyed Mauricio Reggiardo, coach of Provence Rugby.
But in a scrum a few meters from the embu line, the ball quickly passed to Jules Plisson then to Kaveinga Finau who broke through the defense to give his team the advantage by flattening right between the posts in the 21st minute (transformed by Jules Plisson).
Provence Rugby goes in front just before half-time
Stade Montois will respond for a few minutes with a penalty from Christophe Loustalot. Then in the process and a long missed pass from Jules Plisson at the halfway line, Simao Broeiro Bento intercepts and goes to finish his race in the Provençal embu (transformed by Christophe Loustalot). The visitors went in front after half an hour of play (14-17).
Provence Rugby still equalized immediately after a penalty from Plisson (33'). New tie in this match. Provence Rugby will even take the advantage on a penalty try committed by Jules Dussutour. A gift from heaven for the Provençaux who, despite the inaccuracies, pushed in the last minutes to lead at half-time (24-17).
Returning from the locker room, Stade Montois reduced the gap with a penalty scored by Christophe Loustalot (42'). Then Stade Montois went back in front on a throw-in in the Provence Rugby 22, the ball was quickly passed to Simao Broeiro Bento who slalomed between the defenders to score a double (46' converted by Christophe Loustalot). 24-27 for visitors.
A test which was a blow to the players of Provence Rugby, who have been less conquering since the resumption of the match. This is again reflected in the penalty obtained and scored by Stade Montois (54' Christophe Loustalot).
But Provence Rugby does not panic and on an offensive on the left wing Bilal Taieb takes a high tackle. Yellow card for Wahel Ponpon which leaves his team at 14. The Provençaux take advantage of it. Just after the exclusion, on a touchline near the embu line, the Aix pack breaks through the defense and 6: Guillaume Piazzoli scores a try (58'). Successful transformation by Plisson which gives the advantage to his team.
Even if there were a lot of blunders. Little by little, the locals regained the advantage in the game by being higher up, more conquering with a very good game from the forwards. Like Adrien Lapegue's try on a magical volleyball pass from Jules Plisson which does not tremble at the moment of the transformation (69'). The Aixois give themselves some breathing space ten minutes from the end (38-30).
The match unlocks in the last quarter of an hour
The match was not won yet. Nadir Bouhedjeur's high tackle in the 70th minute could have predicted a difficult end to the match for Provence Rugby. However, the Aixois will be solid by scratching several balls at the Stade Montois. A solidity that pays off since they move up the field little by little and could even have delivered the final blow with Joseph Laguet's try at the very end of the match.
But it is canceled by the referee for a screen, a decision contested by the public. The Aixois will finally end up scoring this last try, again from Joseph Laguet (80' transformed by Jules Plisson) which completes a great evening at the Maurice David stadium. A complicated victory to take shape, but not undeserved for Provence Rugby which maintains its invincibility at home and wins the offensive bonus point.
Good operation for the Aixois who took third place in the championship with 26 points, one less than the leaders, Montauban and Biarritz. This is precisely what the Provence Rugby coach underlines at the end of the match. The coach was very satisfied with the result and the involvement of his players.
The reactions of Mauricio Reggiardo and Guillaume Piazzoli can be found in this article in the evening.
