Montpellier (AFP)
Montpellier revived in the race for the final phase by obtaining a narrow success (31-29) at the expense of Bayonne, who draws a defensive bonus, Saturday at GGL Stadium on the 15th day of Top 14.
Despite four tries, including a hat-trick from his Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, Xavier Garbajosa's team never got their hands on this meeting, twice suffering the return of the Basques.
Montpellier temporarily goes back to 7th place while waiting for Toulouse to travel to Racing on Sunday. Deprived of many internationals and injured, Xavier Garbajosa's team remains master at home, but lets slip the possibility of hanging the offensive bonus after having led twice by 11, then 16 points.
Bayonne (10th), who has not won since October 12, snatches a deserved point but remains exposed to the threat of his many pursuers (Stade Français, Agen, Castres).
Montpellier did things halfway during a mixed encounter, alternating flashes and approximations in defense.
Symbol of these mood swings, the winger Nadolo managed a double in the first period, benefiting blow by blow from a service at the foot of Johan Goosen (11), then of Benoît Paillaugue (22). But then he was trapped twice behind his back allowing the Aviron to return to the match thanks to the third line Benjamin Collet (27), then to the winger Arthur Duhau (32).
Same scenario after the break, Montpellier again chained two tries by Nadolo (52), then by the other winger Yvan Reilhac (48), before being surprised in four minutes by two tests of the hooker Maxime Delonca (60) and from the Peyo Muscarditz center (64). The MHR is therefore doing well, but on the wire.
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