Rowing Bayonnais defeated the reigning French champions this Sunday (12-8), at Jean-Dauger, during the ninth day.
Bayonne four out of four, not Toulouse. In a duel between two teams who remained on three consecutive successes, Rowing brought down Stade Toulouse (12-8) this Sunday, at the end of the ninth day of Top 14. Deprived of several internationals, retained with the XV of France, the champions of France, with a rejuvenated squad, (clearly) did not do poorly in this meeting and fought like lions.
Toulouse cursed to Jean Dauger
A fierce battle which still turned to the advantage of the Basques, who opened the scoring a quarter of an hour into the match through Sireli Maqala (15'). The Haut-Garonnais reacted in the second act by bringing in heavy artillery and many more experienced players. Setareki Bituniyata revived the Stade at the best moment (73'), with a powerful try, before seeing Maqala score the double, synonymous with a massive blow for the Haut-Garonnais. Jean Dauger's public trembled until the end when they saw Joris Segonds miss a penalty and a drop a few minutes earlier but Grégory Patat's men held on until the final whistle and inflicted a second away defeat on Toulouse this season after that in Castres.
The European champions, who still leave the Basque Country with the defensive bonus point, have not won in Bayonne for four years. Despite this defeat, the Rouge et Noir regained their place as leader of the Top 14. For their part, the Ciel et Blanc continued to impress and placed themselves in fourth place in the championship, one point from the podium.
France
