A penalty obtained on the siren. This is what tipped the match between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Racing 92 in favor of the Racingmen (13-16), Sunday February 20, for the 18th day of the Top 14. The Ile-de-France residents won at the Chaban- Delmas, a small feat since the Girondins were undefeated there since the start of the season.
Deprived of several of its executives, the UBB, quite undisciplined, suffered from the start of the match, conceding two penalties scored by Maxime Machenaud. But Christophe Urios’ men came back into the game thanks to good work from their forwards to score a try, in force, by Ben Tameifuna. With great intensity, the Girondins pushed to widen their advantage in the score but the Racingmen remained in contact by being courageous in defense, close to their in-goal, at the end of the first period.
Faced with a rejuvenated Bordeaux team, it was ultimately Juan Imhoff’s experience that allowed Racing to come back to score. The 39-year-old Argentinian gave himself a try by hitting a kick to follow for himself, before flattening in the UBB in-goal. Less dominating than in the first period, Christophe Urios’ players also came up against an excellent Camille Chat, who returned during the second period. The hooker allowed Racing to gain precious meters on the field and caused a final foul from Jean-Baptiste Dubié, after the siren, to offer a penalty converted by Ben Volavola.
FᏆN ᎠᎬ ᎷᎪᎢᏟᎻ ᎬᎢ ᏙᏆᏟᎢᏫᏆᎡᎬ (⌚️80′)
Big game for Ciel et Blanc who did not give up 80 minutes to win a victory for the leader!
Come and support Ciel & Blanc against Castres: https://t.co/NRcPLI4I4P
13-16 #UBBR92 #RacingFamily pic.twitter.com/CHEQ4znXa3
— Racing 92 (@racing92) February 20, 2022
GThanks to this victory in extremis, Racing 92 has a sixth victory in all competitions and climbs back to fifth place in the standings. The Bordelo-Béglais, who concede a second consecutive defeat, remain leaders but see their lead over the Montpellier residents melt to five points.