Montpellier (AFP)
The Bordeaux-Bègles of Christophe Urios preserves his invincibility in the league after the draw (17-17) convincing obtained Sunday in Montpellier during the 5th day of Top 14.
A penalty four minutes from the end of opener Ben Botica, entered at half-time in place of Nicolas Jalibert hit the arm, allowed the UBB to ensure his two points.
By making a good start to the season, the team of new coach Christophe Urios remains in second place, two points behind the new leader Lyon.
UBB is preparing to tackle the unprecedented summit next week at the Stade Gerland with full confidence.
After the success in Castres (32-34), three weeks ago, and this draw in Montpellier, he will pass a real test against the other team in form of the moment. Already, he gives himself reasons to meet his main challenge, namely to qualify for the final phase.
The MHR (5th), it weakens somewhat his hopes. Handicapped by the absence of twenty players, the team of Xavier Garbajosa loose his first points of the season at home. And most importantly, she did not react fully fifteen days after her vexing defeat in Agen (29-10).
In the image of a first period mastered by Montpellier, Bordeaux has shown a rare efficiency to exploit one of his opportunities and register a test through his third line international center Marco Tauleigne (33).
The Herault have once again left on the road many points in the image of winger Gabriel Ngandebe, which has spoiled two opportunities (14, 30) to materialize the dominance of the front, including melee.
Led up to the 69th minute, following a test run by Australia's Scott Higginbotham (63), the MHR put the hand back in the final eleven minutes. He took advantage of the second warning Girondin, given to hooker Florian Dufour, to score a try by the third line center Martin Devergie and equalize (69), then take the advantage on a penalty of Anthony Bouthier (17-14, 72nd)
Just before Ben Botica converts an ultimate penalty and preserves the invincibility of the UBB.
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