La Rochelle (AFP)
La Rochelle took the lead of the Top 14 after its success in the Atlantic derby in front of Bordeaux-Bègles (20-6), without managing to improve it as his first act had given him hope, Sunday evening, at the end of the 6th day.
The maritime victory will leave a taste of unfinished business for the 5,000 lucky spectators authorized, who feasted, then waited, without their charges managing to definitively fill them with a fifth point as was the case in Bayonne and against Castres. .
Nevertheless, the demonstration proposed by these Rochelais, irresistible this fall, augurs well for the future for the men of Jono Gibbes, rarely worried by Bordelais in the grip of doubt, without confidence or solution, like what 'they had already proposed in Lyon three weeks ago (27-10).
The absences of internationals Alldritt and Retière, of vice-captain Vito, injured, were hardly detrimental to the maritime steamroller, rewarded in the first period by two tries, signed Kerr-Barlow (17th) after a top from Gourdon, followed an axial load from Bourdeau, and Doumayrou (33rd), originally in the air and at the end of a 60-meter rise in the ground.
The score at the break (17-0) was almost flattering for the men of a Christophe Urios recovered, integrating three new players at the start - Jalibert, Amosa and Dweba - to hope for a click.
Without real impact since Plisson, facing the wind, adjusted a second penalty for La Rochelle (47).
Power was sorely lacking in the Girondins, especially that expected by the two winged Islanders, Lam and Tamanivalu, not to mention the aggressiveness needed to undermine the best defense in the championship.
To prevent Bordeaux-Bègles from returning empty-handed, Jalibert tried and passed a penalty, then another (20-6, 70th) in the hope of securing a very hypothetical defensive bonus.
But their hosts, in management mode in the second half, put up barriers and even rebelled at the end, without reaching the promised land.
© 2020 AFP