A notch above, Bayonne logically took the best at home against a Stade Toulousain deprived of its best elements (26-7), at the start of the 1st day of Top 14 this Friday evening. More powerful in front despite numerous hand faults, the Basques are the 1st leaders of the Top 14 version 2023/2024.
Paradoxically favorite because undefeated at Jean-Dauger last season, and against a French champion deprived of… 17 internationals in his first three league matches, the Bayonnais experienced many inaccuracies which prevented them from developing their game. Result, the start of the match was rather to the advantage of the visitors with the balls stupidly lost by Cassiem (2nd, 10th).
For his first since his return from loan to Mont-de-Marsan, Rasaku sent some chills over the Haut-Garonne defense but was little served (8th). Authors of ten forwards in the first period, and an incalculable number of lost touches, the Bayonnais saw the Haut-garonnais take the lead via a try from Guitoune (23rd) following a long possession and an interval hold perfect from the center three-quarters.
This is probably what the locals needed to finally be precise and stick a 26-0 to Ugo Mola’s men. Cassiem caught up with his slag with an immediate try (25th) following a good streak from his forwards. The Lopez show began: a 40-meter drop before the break (40th), a 35-meter penalty shifted to the left of the poles (45th) then a new clinical drop after a good streak from the big Bayonnais (51st). Freed by this small mattress in advance, the Basques finally freed themselves and Spring, stirring this evening, made a good run to fix the last defender and serve Baget on a plateau (54th, 23-7). Dominating thanks to the difference in the quality of the benches, the Basques secured their victory with a new penalty from Lopez (66th) but did not manage to get an offensive bonus.
First – provisional – leader of the championship, Bayonne will be keen to confirm this good start to the season in Toulon next Saturday on the lawn of Toulon. For its part, Stade Toulousain will be playing the closing match of the second day, with the reception of Montpellier.