La Rochelle (AFP)
La Rochelle, master of the debates at the hour of the game against Stade Français, trembled until the end to impose extreme accuracy (28-26), Jules Plisson missing the transformation of the draw after the siren on Saturday at the occasion of the 2nd day of Top 14.
The Maritimes can blow. In search of confidence after their missed exit in Clermont at the start of the season (28-10), the men of Jono Gibbes have assured the essential, namely the victory, slow and long contested by Parisian players who have roughed them in the beginning of match and on the end.
With four tries scored and a fight to the end, men Heyneke Meyer showed a different face than Lyon (43-9). The defensive bonus won, which could have turned into a draw with a little more success from his striker, is a small reward for them.
On a flying start, the visitors took the lead on the defense of La Rochelle, struggling in the first twenty minutes, who cashed a penalty try (13th) - doubled a yellow card for Jérémy Sinzelle - then another of Kylan Hamdaoui (6-14, 17th).
The temporary exclusion of Talalelei Gray (24th) rebalanced the proceedings, which benefited the powerful Jone Qovu in the next minute.
La Rochelle accentuated his pressure and Pierre Aguillon found the fault after a long sequence (20-14). He was imitated at the resumption by Arthur Retière (45th), at the conclusion of a very nice action (28-14).
As we headed for a quiet success of the local, in full management, Paris rebelled on the end and first reduced the gap by Jonathan Danty (75).
Euphoric, the visitors then sent Hamdaoui for a doubled in a defender La Rochelle distraught (80th). Plisson only had to transform to ensure the draw but his transformation was missed.
© 2019 AFP