Tops
Before leaving for Marcoussis following Matthieu Jalibert’s withdrawal, Antoine Hastoy once again pleased the entire Marcel-Deflandre stadium. The former Palois perfectly led the Maritime game in this very offensive meeting. Whether by foot or by hand, his transmissions hit the mark and created a lag almost every time. Facing the poles, he was once again perfect (6/6) to accentuate this improved success for the Rochelais. Even if he forgot to pass his ball after a breakthrough in the Clermont defense, he had applied himself well before with a little kick over the top for Brice Dulin who offered the 5th try of this meeting to Teddy Thomas.
The La Rochelle fullback was once again a metronome in the Maritime game. From the start of this meeting, he chained precise kicks which allowed his team to stay very high in the ASM camp. He also found a nice 50/22 which hurt the Clermontois because that’s where the first try of this meeting started. With his 68 meters covered, Brice Dulin produced a very high level performance. Returning from the locker room, he could even have given himself a try but ultimately decided to let his winger Teddy Thomas flatten between the poles.
Flops
The Clermontois gave the stick to be beaten to the Rochelais who did not need it. Even if they managed to tie the game during the first 10 minutes, the inaccuracies of an entire team will then have cost far too much. Overwhelmed on all sides in defense, Christophe Urios’ men will have surrendered far too many balls to their opponents in the evening (13 in total). Beyond those made in melee, some were more than avoidable, notably those on throws into touches. Uninspired offensively, the Jaunards did not need to give ammunition to the Rochelais who were not to be asked to use them wonderfully.
The New Zealand third row collected a yellow card which seriously weighed down his team. While they were already led by the much more physical Rochelais, the ASM third row was asked to sit down for 10 minutes after a high tackle on Dillyn Leyds. Just after his exit, the Clermontois conceded a try after a beautiful overthrow of the Rochelais. During these 10 minutes, the Jaunards had to struggle as best they could to resist before finally breaking down and conceding a 4th try just before returning to the locker room. In the second act, Pita Gus Sowakula made a series of rough choices. He was finally replaced in the 61st minute.
