For its first in the Champions Cup at Jean Dauger, Aviron Bayonnais lost by a small point against Glasgow (11-12), in a meeting where the dynamism of number nine Gela Aprasidze was not enough. Reece Hodge’s two failures at the end of the match were costly. Opposite, number eight Ally Miller and fly-half Ross Thompson were decisive.
The Tops
Starting for the second time this season, the Georgian number nine was excellent against Glasgow. In the first half, he set the pace behind his forward pack and alternated well with interesting short-footed play. He could have scored a try (33rd), but he was ultimately penalized. In defense, the former Montpellier player steals a ball in a ruck (19th), tackles well close to his line (25th) and makes an important spoon on Huw Jones (43rd), while the center has just broken through the defensive curtain Basque.
The Argentine number eight played 80 minutes. He carried the ball a lot (15 races, 89 meters covered) and increased the charges in the Scottish defense. He is not far from scoring the first try of the match, in force (14th), but it is ultimately refused. He is in support of Nadir Megdoud (31st) in a sky and white highlight, which will end with the try of Facundo Bosch (33rd). With fourteen tackles, he is the Bayonnais who defended the most this Friday evening.
Number eight scored a very good try (37th), on a ball at the end of the line, where he overtook Nadir Megdoud. In attack, he finished the game with 53 meters covered and 3 defenders beaten. When his team did not have the ball, he was in the oven and the mill with 16 tackles and his physical density was valuable. His friend in the pack, Alex Samuel, also had a great match.
Glasgow’s number ten guided his team’s play well. He started the game with a superb kick pass, caught by Ollie Smith, but the try was refused afterwards (3rd). He seemed quite comfortable in the distribution, with a lot of play in the back. He is decisive on Josh Mckay’s try (57th), since it is he who sends the magnificent jump pass for his rear. It is this try which will ultimately allow the Glasgow Warriors to win by a small point.
Ross Thompson at the helm of the Scottish game.
The Flops
Entering the game 23 minutes from time, in place of George Turner, hooker Angus Fraser experienced an ordeal. His throw (60th) is blocked by Manuel Leindekar, the next one (62nd) is not straight. He then made a mistake on the ground (64th), saw Rémi Bourdeau steal a throw near the Basque goal (68th), then it was Arthur Iturria who stole a precious piece of ammunition (72nd). On the next sideline (73rd), Fraser’s throw is again not straight. This was also the case for the last one he had to perform (79th). An incredible clumsiness in this sector for the 24-year-old hooker, which could have cost his team dearly, but his partners then defended their line well in added time.
For his first match with the Aviron Bayonnais jersey, the Australian international (29 years old, 63 caps) could have dreamed of better. He came on as second center in place of Cheikh Tiberghien half an hour from the end of the match. He missed two penalties (65th, 75th) which could have allowed Rowing to get back in front in the score. The two attempts were certainly distant, but his two failures were very costly in the end.
Thomas Ceyte only played a quarter of an hour against Glasgow. He did not have his best match, far from it, even if his full-line breakthrough (78th) gave his team some momentum in a final effort. Before that, he made a gross and largely avoidable mistake by charging at Ross Thompson after a play at the foot of the Scottish opener (71st). Five minutes later, while the Ciel et Blanc were on a high point in the opposing 40 meters, the second line lost the ball on impact.