This is undoubtedly the turning point of the game. We are at the 55th minute this Thursday evening
and Stade Montois has just scored its second try (11-20). A numerical superiority penalty try a few seconds after a yellow card inflicted against a Rouennais. On the dismissal, the Normans recover the ball and in turn score a try, 14 against 15 (18-20).
Fire extinction. The Montois thwart. “We have a total lack of control, technical faults, and Rouen won the game of occupation and pressure” notes manager Patrick Milhet. “I had the feeling that we had tipped over, that we were putting them in difficulty. But this kick-off put them back in the game. It was the fact of the match that allowed Rouen to come back into the game. “
We were eaten on the occupation – Romain Latterrade
From then on, the Rouennais push back sequence after sequence the Landais in their camp thanks to the foot of the back Peter Lydon. “We have a little bad management of the match” adds Romain Latterrade, who was celebrating his 100th match in Mons colours. “A real pride to pass this bar with his training club.”
“We were eaten on the occupation” explains the hooker. “We were always in our camp and we never managed to get out of it. They manage to come back thanks to our mistakes. It’s a lot of frustration.”
A wasted opportunity
For 55 minutes, Mont-de-Marsan had victory in hand. With a one-sided start to the second half where the scrum hurt the Normans. “But we give them points that are too easy” says Patrick Milhet. “When you go on a three-day trip, you want to do better than that.”
Better than just a defensive bonus point snagged at the last minute thanks to a 50-yard penalty from Yoann Laousse Azpiazu. A point synonymous with provisional first place in the Pro D2 standings before Friday’s matches.
“We are not satisfied with anything tonight” concluded the manager of Stade Montois. “When you dominate in closed scrum, you have to win the match. So there was a lack of control over the last twenty minutes.” Who leave a bitterness? “Yes, completely.”