The Palois wanted to make a success of their exit, they especially missed their entry in this match against Castres. Faced with a team that had an appointment in Béarn to ensure direct qualification for the semi-finals, the Section proved to be most generous: at the kick-off, the ball was left with Staniforth, during next game he is dismissed on the wing and Nakosi, served by Dumora, only has to declare Botitu. After 23 seconds, Pau trailed 7-0.
Strength of character
The Palois had nothing to play for but they assured this week that it would not alter…
The Palois wanted to make a success of their exit, they especially missed their entry in this match against Castres. Faced with a team that had an appointment in Béarn to ensure direct qualification for the semi-finals, the Section proved to be most generous: at the kick-off, the ball was left with Staniforth, during next game he is dismissed on the wing and Nakosi, served by Dumora, only has to declare Botitu. After 23 seconds, Pau trailed 7-0.
Strength of character
The Palois had nothing to play for but they assured this week that it would not alter their commitment, eager to offer a royal outing to the starters (Lespiaucq, Habel-Küffner, Hastoy, Ramsay) and celebrate the 200th with the jersey of the Section of Thibault Daubagna. They kept their word. Admittedly picked cold, the Palois did not agree to stay on one knee. They could claim it because they were masterfully led by Antoine Hastoy. The opener had a title of best director to go for but he made his kicking game speak to put his own in the right direction: on an overhand, Vatubua recovered and returned inside to Thibault Daubagna to equalize (7- 7; 4th).
thwarted conquest
Pau quickly came back up to par, but taking control was another story. And the copy returned in conquest was not the least of the parameters: the scrum was upset with in the first half, two penalties and two broken arms even if a penalty was torn off on introduction from Castres. To also deplore this penalty conceded at the entrance of the 22 meters of Castres on a promising offensive touch… The Tarnais were not left out of balls returned like this missed throw by Barlot (13th) who could however have turn into a formidable attack ball if Dumora had not missed his pass…
Lost balloons
But in the game of regrets, the Palois were the strongest. Sébastien Piqueronies’ men were keen to attack. Only, put under permanent pressure by devilishly aggressive Tarnais, they showed a fatal feverishness: evidenced by these forwards signed Rey then Ramsay after a show by Antoine Hastoy or Carol. But also this ball returned at the foot by Hastoy, this other by Vatubua or this touchdown pass from Tuimaba who had just been penalized on an attack ball. When Manu came out on bleeding (23rd to 34th), the staff redistributed the cards with three changes of position – Hastoy at the back, Carol on the wing and Roudil in the center. In truth, it didn’t really change much. Regrets because at half-time, Pau had not exceeded the bar of five penalties conceded and therefore did not give the balls to be punished. On a fault by CO Hastoy had even been able to equalize (10-10; 31st) But it was above all a lesson in realism signed Castres, yet another inflicted by a cador: just before half-time, Pau concedes a penalty and the CO slips away in touch. On the momentum, Arata taps over, Palis dominates Roudil in the air and the ball can be dismissed. Urdapilleta only has to find Dumora with a diagonal (10-17; 40′).
Old-fashioned Castres
At half-time, Castres was in the lead. So Pau returned to four points after a penalty from Hastoy (13-17: 46th) had to force the decision. It was possible but this team was overtaken by its limits that one word is enough to sum up: inefficiency. However, she had balls (52% possession, 91 balls carried, 666 meters covered against 301, 4 crossings at 2, 21 tackles broken at 14). Example, this rush of Tuimaba who manages to play behind him, starting point for a major action: jump from Tagitagivalu to Corato, shift for Ramsay who plays his card. Manu concludes but a forward cancels the test (51st) The massive coaching in the 55th did not change anything despite Fisi’ihoi, Habel-Küffner, Tokolahi, Le Bail then Lespiaucq in the 60th. Because at the same time, the CO changed its pillars and added Raisuqe and Jérémy Fernandez to the equation. If Hastoy brought Pau back to one point (16-17; 61st), the Greens and Whites did not dream for long: the time to mess up the dismissal and open a boulevard at the drop of Dumora (16-20; 62nd) Then the Paloise Section rushed, made mistakes and let Urdapilleta drive the point home (16-26).
Hastoy for a point
Author of a good match and eleven points, Antoine Hastoy failed to engrave his name on the honor roll: with 250 points, he finished second best director in the Top 14 behind Léo Berdeu (251 points)… La Section must still remain aware of what it owes to its opener.
impotence four
This defeat against Castres had no dramatic consequences but it sadly punctuated the end of the Section season: fourth defeat in a row in the Top 14, this is unprecedented in the Sébastien Piqueronies era… The Béarnais club finished 10th and c is much better than last season (12th), announced objective. But progress is measured: 50 points (11 wins) against 46 points last year (9 wins). It’s another setback at Le Hameau against one of the leaders (4 defeats and a draw) and that shows the progress to be made.