At the opening of the 24th day, at the André-et-Guy-Boniface stadium, Stade Montois was forced to share the points with Brive following a try after the siren of Léo Carbonneau (22-22). The Landais missed the opportunity to get closer to the leading trio made up of Vannes, Béziers and Provence Rugby.
Between two contenders for the final phase, a few days before the end of the regular phase, there was inevitably a lot at stake. At André-et-Guy-Boniface, in optimal conditions, Stade Montois, after a long standoff, was overcome by Brive (22-22). The Coujoux had the merit of not giving up, like Léo Carbonneau. The scrum half was once again decisive by scoring a try after the siren.
In the ranking, Mont-de-Marsan is missing a big operation in the race for the final phase. The Landais (4th, 63 points) could have gotten closer to Provence Rugby (3rd, 66 points), Béziers (2nd, 67 points) and Vannes (1st, 67 points). Despite this positive result, Brive (6th, 58 points) could leave the qualifying places if Dax (7th, 55 points) succeeds.
The inevitable Sau strikes again
In a first period where they were generally dominated by the physical density of Brive, the Landais were able to turn the tables just before returning to the locker room. Following a penalty, through a nice run inside, Sau found the solution (8-7, 40th+1). The former Provence Rugby player has already made 9 tries this season in 18 appearances.
Despite an opening score from Viallard, who came to punish a mistake by Hamel (3-0, 16th), the Brivistes, sovereign in the air thanks in particular to Voisin, made the power of their forward pack speak for themselves. With Lefranc and Tuivuaka in the line-up, the destructive carried maul did the job. Issam Hamel concluded this collective effort (3-7, 21st). Well in place, the Corréziens missed the mark with many approximations in the three-quarter line.
Raffy didn’t tremble
In a much livelier second act, the teams returned blow for blow through the scorers. Viallard gained a lead (44th, 54th, 64th, 10-17). But Raffy kept his team in the match (57th). And no matter how much we remind ourselves of it every day, the points are only validated after a good outing from camp.
Under pressure a few meters from his goal, Viallard hit a candle while rushing. At the reception, the Landes defense was not able to put pressure on Tuivuaka. The Fijian, rather discreet before that, pierced the defensive curtain over 30 meters. Taken over by Du Plessis, the winger offered a try to Julien Blanc, who had just come on (17-15, 66th).
In this mano a mano, the locals thought they had done the difficult thing. Like the Brivistes in the first period, a maul carried, supported by three-quarters, propelled Samuel Lagrange to the promised land (22-15, 73rd). In the corner, Canut was not able to add two points. Two points which would have been crucial for his training.
Thanks to a nice penalty found by Léo Carbonneau, following a mistake by Lisena in a maul, the Broncan gang, in disorder, found the resources to offer themselves a draw. Once again, the light came from the under-20 international. Placed at the opening, he found the interval to score in a good position. At 22 meters, on the 15 meter line, on the left, Tom Raffy had strong nerves (22-22, 80th+1).
On April 5, Stade Montois will visit Valence Romans. Brive will make a second trip to Dax.