Pau (AFP)
Pau, who remained on seven defeats in Top 14 and under maximum pressure, returned to victory against Montpellier (19-15), which allows him to leave the red zone, Saturday, on the occasion of the 17th day.
And the end of the match finally smiled at the Section. Defeated in + money-time + at Brive then at Hameau against Clermont while he was leading each time, Pau did violence to snatch a precious success thanks to a strong test of its pillar Nicolas Corato at five minutes from the end .
Thanks to this success, the Béarnais suddenly double the Stade Français which will play Sunday in Toulon and Agen, their next opponent, beaten by Clermont on Saturday (32-15).
The MHR, which has still not won away this season, came to Béarn with rather limited intentions. Despite this, he could not keep the gain of a victory that he touched with his fingers for twenty minutes.
The defensive bonus point brought back is less consolation in the race for qualification, since Montpellier (8th, 37 pts) is now 4 points from Clermont, sixth and virtually last barrage.
The fine rain that watered the Hamlet did not allow us to see large flights. Logic between two teams plagued by doubt or looking for themselves offensively who offered a minimalist game, made of occupation.
A tactic profitable at first to the locals, dominators in melee (6-0, 19th), the Héraultais taking advantage of their local indiscipline on the ground to pick up by Pollard (6-6, 35th).
On recovery, Xavier Garbajosa's men took advantage of their bench and their power to take the lead (9-12, 49th) before the New Zealand international Colin Slade, absent for more than three months for cumulative concussions, do not bring his own up (53e).
Clinically, Pollard, author of his own points, gave the advantage to his colors which held up as best he could in the face of the Paloise revolt before giving in to an intensive shelling and a plunge from Corato who delivered Section.
© 2020 AFP