Through Normandy editorial staff
Published on
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Two weeks after giving the lesson to the promoted Narbonne at home (57-16), Rouen Normandy Rugby bowed before Colomiers (19-24), one of the three co-leaders before this day, at Robert-Diochon stadium Friday, September 17, 2021. The Normans can harbor regrets, because they had copiously dominated the first period, without drawing all the benefit of their efforts. With a 9-point lead at the break, they were struck by the Columérins who scored three tries and 24 points in the second period. To courage, the Lions went to snatch the defensive bonus (defeat by 5 points maximum) after five minutes of added time.
Michallet in his works
From the outset, a good ruck defense over the 50 meters allowed Michallet to find a penalty on the 22 meters. The maul progressed before being illegally dragged to the ground. From the left side, Michallet opened the scoring in the middle of the poles (3-0, 6th). The Norman striker quickly doubled the bet (6-0, 9th), rewarding a very long streak of domination, with alternating play upwind and offshore. The defense of the RNR got into tune, vigorously pushing back the Columérins, like Cazac who put on a nice stopper.
In the continuity, Astle and Megdoud sowed discord in the 22 visitors, to the point that Peysson ended up making a mistake and receiving a yellow card (13th). The penalty was a simple formality for Michallet (9-0, 14th). The Lions were untenable and biting but the Norman opener missed an opportunity to add to the 30m (22nd). Javaux, the former Valence / Romans strategist, was no more wise on his first attempt, facing the posts, that he totally twisted (28th).
Colomiers rebels
In defense, the RNR imposed such pressure that Colomiers had to resolve to a kicking game over. It was without counting on the cover of Surano (31st), victim of a nag before touching the ball. The Normans were always inspired, like Megdoud whose little kick over it worked wonders and brought his team back into the 22. The RNR progressed over two mauls, Colomiers lost Gori for ten minutes (yellow card), but failed to melt into the in-goal (9-0, half-time).
In inferiority, Colomiers nevertheless rebelled from the resumption by wearing a maul on trial (9-7, 44th). Rouen put the gas back on for a sequence with multiple playing times which did not however destabilize the Columérins.
The RNR fought to the end
The scrum did not give satisfaction to the referee who stuck a yellow on both sides. The first points went once more to Michallet (12-7, 56th), on a penalty sanctioning an offside at 40m. Rouen showed great solidarity in defense, but was under pressure in melee, allowing Javaux to close the gap (12-10, 63rd). Little by little, the game escaped the Normans, driven back on a new victorious maul (12-17, 67th) then overwhelmed in a corner by Pacheco (12-24, 73rd). The RNR had the merit of fighting to the end to scratch a penalty try (19-24, 85th), symbol of a defensive bonus point.
Post-match reactions
Nicolas Godignon (Rouen coach): “Despite the defensive bonus, it’s still disappointing because we should have taken more advantage of this match. We were too feverish in our scrum which put us in it and then, we did not materialize our highlights in the first period. We also made a catastrophic start to the second half, taking a quick try. We were afraid to win this match. We have to grow up. We are learning and building ourselves. In any case, the state of mind should be emphasized. The guys never let go. ”
Antoine Fournier (pillar of Rouen) : “We come out disappointed with this match. Colomiers did not win this match, we lost it. If we had scored this try just before the break on our highlight, it would have given us even more confidence. On the restart, we did everything we shouldn’t do. We concede a penalty. Colomiers marks and it galvanized him. We made too many mistakes in the second half. It’s a shame because there was room. “
JC Astle (2nd line from Rouen): “We controlled the game in the first period and in the second, we gave up ten to fifteen minutes against a good team. Afterwards, it was difficult because we conceded a lot of penalties. We level up every week. It is important to us. “
Alain Geslin
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