Faced with a team that some promise to find on the lower floor at the end of the season, the “green and black” had little choice but to win last night. In front of the ancient glories of Sapiac who came to pay a vibrant tribute to Ibou Diarra (read on the next page), the Montalbanais have fulfilled their contract. They are also the first to highlight a breakthrough by Jérôme Bosviel and a beautiful chistera for Alexandre Loubière (5th). However, it was the Drômois who found the opening on a full axis drop by Maxime Javaux (7th). The reaction of the USM was immediate and Evrard Oulai was caught on the line but allowed Jérôme Bosviel to equalize (3-3, 11th). The USM is in the game and allows itself to pass often in the axis of the Drôme defense; and it’s in line that the Sapiacans will score the first try of the game between the posts (10-3, 15th). It is believed that the Montalbanais are in the driving direction but even if they have possession of the leather, they find it difficult to cross the advantage line. Without being spectacular, the Tarn-et-Garonnais are efficient (13-3) and are not endangered that much.
At the end of the first period, dominating in front, the Montalbanais had the opportunity to register a new test but preferred the points (16-3). Just before the break Pierre Sayerse is resumed in extremis before a final penalouche which carries Pellow Van der Westhuizen behind the line on a marvel of action by Evrard Oulai (23-3).
A second tasteless act
At the start of the second act, the Checkers have nothing to lose and even allow themselves to raise almost 80 meters; at the time the visitors chain the playing times in the five meters from Montalban and are even shuttering on a superb intervention by Jacques Englebrecht (53rd) … but recover the ball on the fray that follows. For more than ten minutes, the waves of Drôme are linked without a single meter being won, the power of the Montalbanians being undeniable. Finally, Stéphane Munoz’s teammates manage to get rid of the embrace and can still get their first offensive bonus point of the season at Sapiac! But to score a third try you have to have the ball and the Valence-Romans players confiscate it most of the time but without making it happen… and even lose three balls in touch. Largely dominated in this second act, it takes a kick to follow Aviata Silago to wake up Sapiac but the ball carried is badly negotiated. Finally, sapiacain happiness comes five minutes before the end of a test full of appropriately the hooker replacing Cyril Deligny who offers the offensive bonus point.
At Montauban (Sapiac stadium); arbitrators: Mr. Hervé Lasausa Lespy (New Atlantic), assisted by MM. Pierre Puharre and Christophe Bultet.
MT: 23-3.
Winners: 3 E Silago (15), Van der Westhuizen (40), Deligny (75); 3 T and 3 P (11, 27, 36) Bosviel.
Defeated: 1 D Javaux (7).
Score evolution: 0-3, 3-3, 10-3, 13-3, 16-3, 23-3 / 30-3.
MONTALBANAISE SPORTS UNION. Bosviel; Sitauti, Lilomaiava (Luatua, 53), Mathy, Sayerse; (o) Silago, (m) Chaput (Graou, 55); Loubière (Braendlin, 54), Engelbrecht (Augry, 63), Munoz (cap); Oulai (D. Vaotoa, 40), Sousa (Loubière, 75); Zanon (Ch. Vaotoa, 40), Van der Westhuizen (Deligny, 59), Agnesi (Aleo, 46).
VALENCE-ROMANS DRÔME RUGBY. Vaffier; Mege, Peleseuma (Leaana, 68), Leaana (Quinnez, 40), Sawailau; (o) Javaux (Chouvet, 55), (m) Faure (Faltrept, 50); Dougall (Lespinasse, 62), Lespinasse (Bahraoui, 40), Armary; Hannoyer, Uys (Vuagnat, 68); Goze (Burduli, 47), Larrieu (cap, Colliat, 64), Royer (Badiu, 47, then Royer, 59).
Montauban 30 – Valence / ROMANS 3
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