The 7th day of the Top 14 delivered its share of suspenseful matches, Saturday, October 16. Five games, four of which ended with less than four points. Pau almost caught up with Bordeaux-Bègles (33-37), the Stade Français chained on the wire against Perpignan (22-23), La Rochelle unlocked its away counter in Brive (6-8) and Castres dominated Biarritz (38-20). Later in the afternoon, Clermont won in Montpellier (20-22).
The shock of the afternoon: Clermont wins in Montpellier
Clermont needs points and Clermont went to get some in Montpellier. Propelled into the red zone by the victory of the Stade Français and the defensive bonus of Perpignan, the Clermontois relied on the foot of Camille Lopez to snatch a precious success in Montpellier (20-22). The Clermont opener chained four penalties in the second period to allow his team to overtake the Héraultais in the last minutes. Handré Pollard had the victory at the end of the foot, on a final penalty after the siren. But the failure of the South African allowed ASM to secure their third victory of the season, the first away.
The figure: 70 points between Pau and Bordeaux-Bègles
Bordeaux-Bègles trembled in the city of Vert Galant! In Pau, the UBB thought they had secured a 5th success in a row with three tries in the first period, including a double from their international opener Matthieu Jalibert (9-27 at the break). But the Pau did not give up to return to the match. Seven minutes from the siren, they are back to just four points (33-37) thanks to a test from Youri Delhommel (73rd). The nerves of Bordeaux held on to consolidate their second place in the Top 14.
The thriller: duel in the red zone
Equally exciting scenario for Aimé Giral! Perpignan and Stade Français played cat and mouse for 80 minutes, and the Parisians finally emerged victorious (22-23). In this duel at the bottom of the table between the 12th and 13th of the Top 14, the score was first written at the foot. Two penalties on each side, but one more drop for Perpignan, after 30 minutes of play. The moment chosen by Paul Gabrillagues to register the first try of the meeting. But Alivereti Duguivalu’s response was quick to put the Occitans back in front before the break (16-13).
The crossover was just beginning, with a try from the Parisian third-row Sekou Macalou (51st, 19-20). In legs this Saturday, the back Melvyn Jaminet thought to give victory to Perpignan with a 4th successful penalty (67th, 22-19). But the Parisians snatched their first success away from home thanks to the foot of Léo Barré (77th, 22-23).
The double: Wilfrid Hounkpatin pushes Biarritz
The pillars are not the most represented players on the scoreboards, more often confined to the hard work of the rucks and the scrum rather than to the flights in the opponent’s in-goal. But the Castres Wilfrid Hounkpatin struck twice to bend Biarritz (38-20). The international tricolor (a selection) scored the first two tries of his team, not worried by the red lantern of the Top 14.
Two matches remain to be played for the 7th day of the French championship. Racing 92 will travel to Toulon on Saturday at 9:05 p.m., and Lyon will host Toulouse on Sunday at 9:05 p.m.