Super League: this time, Toulouse Olympique did not hold the shock and lost at home against St Helens (28-14)
The players of Toulouse Olympique, winner of the Saints last March, folded at home, Saturday June 4, for the reunion.
The sky darkened yesterday over the hours, above Ernest-Wallon. A slow deterioration until the arrival, violent, of the rain shortly after the hour of play. The storm, the players of Toulouse Olympique suffered it on the ground. Dominated by those of St Helens first, triple reigning champions. And revenge.
Two and a half months ago (March 19, 6th day), the men of Merseyside, then undefeated, had stumbled against the TO (22-20). This time, no joke. Clear victory, accompanied by the chants of their 200 or so supporters (“Oh, WhenThe Saints…”)
The Saints: three days to prepare well
It is necessary to measure to what extent the English had been upset by the misstep of the previous visit. To avoid a new pitfall, an exceptional fact, they arrived in France the day before the meeting, to be perfectly ready. And repair only today. Usually, they make the round trip during the day. “They had to show that the last match was a mistake, noted Sylvain Houlès, the TO coach. But I found that we had been courageous, valiant, against the best in the championship. We made them work hard.”
Read also :
Super League: Toulouse Olympique beaten at home by leader St Helens (28-14)
What weighed down the Toulouse people? “Always, faults. Hand faults, deplores Sylvain Houlès. I still noted that at one point, we made four downs, the referee said it was the fifth, we had to return the ball and behind, we take the second try…”
Contrary to this fact of the game, the coach did not deny the opposing superiority, especially on the physical level. “But we are not far from this very high level” reassured Sylvain Houlès.
After 14 days, the accounting urgency remains very present. The TO is still last, two points behind Wakefield who is playing today. Next step for Toulouse: Castleford, mid-table team, next Sunday at home.
TOULOUSE 14 – ST HELENS 28
MT: 2-14; 5225 spectators; referee: G. POUMÈS (France).
Winners: 5E Knowles (9), Makinson (16), Hurell (33) Welsby (60) Grace (64); 1P Makinson (78), 3T Makinson (34, 61, 65).
Defeated: 2E Hansen (45), Hankinson (70); 2P Hankinson (6), 2T Hankinson (71).
Score evolution: 2-0, 2-4, 2-8, 2-14 / 8-14, 8-20, 8-26, 14-26, 14-28.
TOULOUSE: Ashall-Bott; Bergal, Jussaume, Hankinson, Russel (o) Norman (m) Albert; Puech (Cap.); Dixon, Peyroux; Alvaro, Marion, Navarrete. Entered the game: Paulo, Hansen, Sangaré, Cunningham.
SAINT HELENA: Hopoate; Makinson, Hurell, Mata’utia, Grace (o) Welsby (m) Lomax (cap.); Knowles; Sironen, Batchelor; Walmsley, Roby, Lees. Entered the game: Bell, Lussick, Paasi, McCarthy Scarsbrook.