Top 14 – Bayonne wins its duel against Toulouse

Bayonne managed to snatch victory against Stade Toulousain at the end of the 9th day of Top 14. Reduced by the absence of most of its executives who remained in Marcoussis for the preparation of the fall tests, Stade Toulousain suffered its third defeat of the season against Bayonne which recorded its fourth victory in a row.

The Stade Jean-Dauger was the scene of a fierce encounter this Sunday, November 3 with this success achieved in the final moments.

From the first exchanges, the tone was set: the two teams were going blow for blow. Bayonne, driven by positive dynamics and three victories in a row, approached this meeting with ambition. Despite several notable absences, the locals were able to cope with a determined group. Opposite, Toulouse, at the top of the championship, had just outclassed Toulon (57-5) and were keen to confirm their status before the international break.

Bayonnaise mastery

The start of the match was marked by Bayonne's mastery in the kicking game, a sector where Rowing has excelled since the start of the season. In the 16th minute, after a long sequence of pressure on Toulouse's 22 meters, Maqala opened the scoring for the locals.

A superb overhand from Machenaud was received by Orabe, and Maqala finished strongly between the posts. Lopez converted without trembling, making the score 7-0.

The Toulouse residents were quick to react and increased the number of incursions into the Bayonne camp. The Bayonne defense, very well organized, managed to contain the Toulouse attacks, in particular thanks to decisive interventions from Chouzenoux, very prominent in the alignment and solid in the duels. However, the Stadistes were handicapped by several hand faults, preventing their actions from materializing into points.

Toulouse regains the score for the first time in the 74th

Returning from the locker room, both teams continued their relentless efforts. The second half was marked by even greater physical intensity, where each possession of the ball became precious.

It was finally Bituniyata, for Toulouse, who found the fault in the 62nd minute, after a long offensive sequence. His try reduced the score to 7-5, but Kinghorn missed the conversion, leaving Bayonne ahead.

As the clock neared the end, Kinghorn gave Toulouse a slight advantage by scoring a penalty in the 74th minute, swinging the score to 8-7 in favor of the visitors.

@rowingrugbypro takes the Toulouse ogre at home thanks to the double from the Fijian center.#ABST pic.twitter.com/GozRCiCJmt

— CANAL+ Rugby (@CanalplusRugby)

Bayonne, with its back to the wall, nevertheless knew how to react with renewed energy. In the final minutes, Maqala, again, appeared at the end of the line after an excellent service from Spring to score his second try of the match. Despite the difficult position, Segonds was unable to convert, but Bayonne regained the advantage 12-8.

Results of the 9th day of the Top 14:

Saturday November 2

• Clermont – Bordeaux-Bègles (bd): 32 – 27
• Castres – Montpellier (bd): 30 – 26
• Toulon – Lyon: 21 – 10
• Pau – Racing 92 : 23 – 33
• Perpignan (bo) – Vannes: 32 – 13
• La Rochelle (bo) – Stade Français: 35 – 18

Sunday November 3

• Bayonne – Toulouse (bd) : 12 – 8

(bd): Defensive bonus, (bo): Offensive bonus