For its second and final warm-up match, the Section Paloise won again showing a lot of indiscipline, and sometimes relaxation. Good for confidence, but not entirely reassuring after last week’s success against Biarritz (22-0). For the Palois, the preparation will continue with two more stages of Supersevens, and oppositions directed at the end of next week against Tarbes and Bayonne, before the start of the championship, next September 4 against Perpignan at Le Hameau.
First-hand test
The Béarnais hit the mark on their first ball: attack in first hand behind a scrum, Laporte intercalated doubles with Gailleton who shifts Roudil for the first try (5-0, 4th). But the Section fell back into the chronic indiscipline already seen the previous weekend, and conceded five penalties between the 9th and 19th minutes, Mont-de-Marsan reduced the gap (5-3, 20th). So the Béarnais apply the same recipe as against the Basques and it is in force on a carried ball that they score a second try, by Jordan Joseph, this time transformed by Thibault Debaes (12-3, 24th). The 3rd line signs a double just before half-time, after a good service from Ducat in the interval, following a penalty quickly played by Levron. At the break the Green and White lead 19 to 3.
The Landais put pressure on the Béarnaise line as soon as they return from the locker room. On yet another penalty, Wakaya crosses the line, 19-10 (51st). Shaken, the Section responds with a penalty quickly played by Daubagna, a good relay from Zegueur to a strong try by Mickaël Capelli (26-10, 60th). It is still the indiscipline of the Section which costs him dearly (7 penalties between the 40th and the 65th), with a new attempt following a penalty touch, by Du Plessis (26-15, 70th). In the confusion of a messy end to the match, the Section scores after a new movement of magnitude, involving all 3/4 and finally concluded by Emilien Gailleton (33-15, 74th). But Mont-de-Marsan closes the score by Bento to “win” the second act. Final score, 33-20.
The Paloise Section match sheet
First period : 15.Laporte; 14. Tuimaba, 13. Gailleton, 12. Vatubua, 11. Roudil; 10. Debaes, 9. Levron; 7. Hewat, 8. Joseph, 6. Puech; 5. Maximin, 4. Ducat; 3.Papidze, 2.L.Rey, 1.Calles.
Second period: 26. Attissogbe; 14. Tuimaba (15. Laporte, 60th), 13. Gailleton, 12. Vatubua (11. Roudil, 60th), 25. Pinto; 22. Henry, 21. Daubagna; 20. Zegueur, 24. L. Whitelock, 27. Gorgadze; 18. Cummins, 19. Capelli; 23. Tokolahi (30. Van Dy, 70th), 16. Ruffenach, 17. Seneca.