Aviron Bayonnais won (13-12) at the end of the suspense this Saturday evening at Jean Dauger against La Rochelle, for the 19th day of the Top 14. Find the tops and flops of the meeting.
TOPS
The Camille Lopez hub
Another excellent match from the flyhalf. The major architect of the Bayonne victory. The 34-year-old scored 8 of his team’s 13 points this evening and was once again very effective in his kicking game. The Basque knew how to be fair in all his decisions (candles, clearances, throw-ins). Lopez was also able to energize the Ciel et Blanc game very well by quickly distributing the ball out of the rucks. The hub of this Basque formation.
The (impregnable) fortress of Jean-Dauger
Pushed to their limits until the last second of the match, the Bayonnais held on against the return of the Maritimes to sign a 28th victory in a row in their lair of Jean-Dauger. Rowing’s last defeat at home dates back to January 21, 2022 against Grenoble in Pro D2. An eternity…
Read alsoTop 14: Bayonne resists the return of La Rochelle and wins at the end of the suspense
FLOPS
Antoine Hastoy misses the match point
The La Rochelle flyhalf can blame himself. The 26-year-old had, in the 77th minute of play, the winning penalty at the end of his foot. But the Maritime sent the ball directly to the Basque poles. A penalty (well within its reach) which would have allowed the Yellow and Black to score a third victory in a row in the Top 14 and (finally) bring down the Bayonnais at home.
The (too) late awakening of the Rochelais
For 65 minutes, the Maritimes offered almost nothing this evening to Jean-Dauger. Ronan O’Gara’s players accumulated mistakes and inaccuracies failing to score points. The double European champions ignited the end of the match with two tries in quick succession from Cancoriet (67th) and Alldritt (72nd) but it was too late… The difference was made.
