sixth consecutive defeat for Toulouse in Pau
The defending champion, weakened by the absence of his internationals retained in Marcoussis, suffered too much from the law of a Pau Section of melee attack and attractive offensively until the expulsion of Vatubua (27-3, 51st) to come back despite strong dominance in the final half hour.
The three tries scored in nine minutes around the hour mark in double power play allowed Ugo Mola’s men to leave with a defensive bonus and maintain their rank in the Top 6. A good point in view of their fifty first complicated minutes during which the Béarnais were carried out to register three tries.
The Toulouse could hardly do better given their current lack of confidence, blatant when the opponent takes them in front, like Cummins author of the first try (21st), and sends the game.
On the power play for 47 minutes
But two minutes after scoring the second Pau try (17-3, 31st), Manu had to leave his partners for a punch in the face from Placines. Sébastien Piqueronies’ men, solid on their bases and hermetic in defense, resisted well at 14, effective even on the head of the visitors by a penalty from Hastoy (44th) then a new try from Roudil (49th), then synonymous with a bonus offensive.
But it became more complicated at 13 after the second red card abandoned at the second Vatubua center for a dangerous tackle without the ball on Chocobares (51st). The Toulouse stadium benefits immediately. Delibes scored twice at the end of the line (54, 56), and the Rouge et noir thought they were ending their losing streak when Lebel took advantage of the spaces to avoid each other and finish between the poles (27-22, 63 ).
But Toulouse wasted a last penal touch, by being locked up by the defense of Pau, which managed to keep its enclosure undefeated since October 17 and the passage of Bordeaux-Bègles. This eighth success of the season allows the Palois to move away a little more from the red zone.