Paris (AFP)

The French Stadium, which however spent 77 minutes outnumbered, resisted Castres (34-10), Saturday, during the 4th day of the Top 14, to clinch its first success of the season.

After sinking during the first three days, the Parisian club, once again beaten by the waves, got its head out of the water to get its first points thanks to a Joris Segonds again formidable efficiency (100% success; 5/5).

Stade Français opening half Joris Segonds hits a penalty during the Top 14 home match against Castres on September 25, 2021 at Stade Jean Bouin FRANCK FIFE AFP

This is not enough to leave the red zone but it allows the Roses to avoid a crisis, they who had not won in the league since a 16-9 success in June in front of Bayonne.

Here they are 13th and penultimate, tied on points with Perpignan, which still has to face Toulon later in the evening.

This, despite the red card of the Samoan international pillar Paul Alo-Emile, usual captain of the club, for a tackle at the head of the third row Baptiste Delaporte (3rd).

But this time, Gonzalo Quesada's men did not give up.

Unlike their previous disappointments, against Racing 92 (38-21), Bordeaux-Bègles (37-10) or Toulon (38-5).

In the week, the Argentine coach assured that his Stade Français was "not at his level".

It was not really on Saturday either, but the Pink Soldiers this time showed self-sacrifice and courage to get rid of clumsy Castres (5 penalties, 6 turnovers conceded).

Like Sekou Macalou, in all the good shots in attack and defense.

Without a guilty advance at the half-hour mark, the international third row could even have been awarded a try, his first of the season.

The 3rd line wing of the Stade Français Sekou Makalou tries to escape a tackle by a Castres player, during their Top 14 match, on September 25, 2021 at the Stade Jean Bouin FRANCK FIFE AFP

Fortunately for him, Telusa Veainu (52nd) and James Hall (77th) did not miss each other, adding a second and a third try to that, penalty, awarded in the first period (8th).

Too undisciplined, Castres, who remained on two successes and a draw, got his feet in the carpet in the capital.

And the Stade Français has found a smile again.

Enough to ensure a quieter week before going to Brive, which won its first two matches at home, offensive bonus in the key, ahead of Perpignan (36-15) and Pau (30-13).

© 2021 AFP