A victory at the end of hell. In dire weather conditions, the Stade Rochelais got the better of the LOU (25-3), Monday, December 27, at the Marcel Deflandre stadium, during the poster for the 13th day of Top 14. The Rochelais were stronger as the downpours and the swirling wind, to clinch a precious enhanced victory, which allows them to overtake their opponent of the evening in the standings and to grab 5th place.
The Yellow and Black end 2021 with an enhanced victory against @LeLOURugby at the end of a match marked by complicated weather conditions!
See you next year #FievreSR pic.twitter.com/HI3dLe7pK6
– Stade Rochelais (@staderochelais) December 27, 2021
In the pouring rain, the Rochelais were no doubt keen to pay tribute to their now former teammate, Kévin Gourdon, forced to end his career because of a heart problem, and who received a final ovation from the part by Marcel Deflandre just before kick-off. Facing the wind throughout the first period, Ronan O’Gara’s men battled the elements, first gaining points on the foot. But they had to wait for a yellow card from Lyon at the half-hour mark to register the first try of the match. Opposite, the visitors struggled to enter the meeting, despite a burst of pride just before the break.
When we got back from the locker room, on an increasingly difficult terrain, the playing conditions got the better of the show, and the meeting was choppy. In this little game, the Rochelais did the best, mastering the game, constantly pushing unruly Lyonnais back into their camp. They ended up registering their second try in the 67th through Thomas Lavault, after a maul came to break through the opposing defense. Liberated, the Maritimes ended the game by dancing in the rain, and they went to seek a third achievement by Pierre Bourgarit at the post on pick and go, synonymous with offensive bonus. Enough to end 2021 in the most beautiful way.
In the other match of the day, Montpellier went for an enhanced victory on the lawn of Biarritz Olympique (12-27). The visitors, well above, never really trembled, even after the exclusion of Bastien Chalureau in the 62nd, period when they scored two of their three tries.
#BoxingDayRugby
3rd away success and 6th win in a row with the bonus! the @MHR_officiel continues to panic counters at the moment!
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Donate for @restosducoeur https://t.co/OSIiW0VDaD1 € = 1 meal ️ pic.twitter.com/d8anWSXA3Y
– TOP 14 Rugby (@ top14rugby) December 27, 2021
Philippe Saint-André’s men sign a sixth consecutive victory and come back to Toulouse in 2nd place in the standings. The Biarrots themselves remain the red lantern.