Tops
What a first half for RC Toulon’s flyhalf! Working alongside Baptiste Serin, the Toulon number 10 almost single-handedly cracked the Pau defense at the start of the match. Author of a double, with a magnificent try (10th), the former Briviste is shown to be very inspired and clinical. He added 11 points to that (only one failure) to put the Rouge et Noir in orbit. Less visible in the second half like his team, Hervé fought in defense. The attacking show was done before the break.
The Toulon captain is the other big man in this game. In the oven and at the mill, the 25-year-old third row made the charge to win the offensive bonus. His flight into touch allowed Gabin Villière to score the RCT’s fourth try before the fifth, which came after the siren. Driven by Mayol’s madness, Abadie flattened the score with a final effort. An essential action which allows Pierre Mignoni’s men to (temporarily) take the lead in the Top 14.
Flops
Remaining on six victories in seven matches, the Section Paloise arrived in the Var with full of confidence. Their euphoria disappeared once the game kicked off, until around the 25th minute. Passive, crumbly defensively and far too undisciplined, the Béarnais paid dearly for their failed start to the match, conceding a 17-0 in 24 minutes. They never recovered, despite a burst of pride after the break.
The Georgian third row, captain of the Paloise Section, suffered from the comparison with his direct opponent, Esteban Abadie. His team dominated, the ex-UBB player dived with the collective by receiving a yellow card for a shirt pulling of Baptiste Serin (23rd). The rest of his meeting was no better, he symbolized the lack of impact of the Palois, too messy to hope for anything in the fortress, for the moment impregnable, of Mayol.
