Pro D2 – Colomiers concedes home draw against new leader Provence Rugby

Despite the World Cup, as a foodie, we would love to play a little Pro D2 again! After fifteen days of rest, and before two more weeks of break, Colomiers and Provence Rugby had made an appointment in Haute-Garonne. And they parted good friends (19-19). Trailing by sixteen points after a quarter of an hour of play, the Columérins made a good comeback, but frustration remains on both sides.

Before Wednesday’s matches, thanks to this draw, Provence Rugby (1st, 20 points) regains first place in Vannes. Colomiers moves back into the middle of the table (8th, 11 points).

A first period with two faces

Confident following their good start to the season, the Provençaux put things in order at the start of the game. At 45 meters, Salles opened the scoring on his team’s first offensive (0-3, 3rd). Following a good start from scrum, from their own part of the field, Coville and Gopperth put the defense on the back foot. The scrum half escaped thanks to an inspired double, before shifting Salles. At the relay Drouet, then Septar were pushed back five meters from the goal. Instead of insisting on touch, the Provençaux preferred to secure the points (0-6, 12th).

The end of the first quarter of an hour was to the advantage of Reggiardo’s men. Salles continued to collect points from long distance (0-9, 14th), then the Provençaux scored a try on the counter-attack. On the dismissal, in the general confusion and thanks to a poor defensive climb, Tyrell escaped into the open field. Coming to his height, Lapègue took advantage of the offering of his second line, which perfectly fixed the last rampart (0-16, 15th). The evening seemed, then, without a hitch for the blacks.

The Haut-Garonnais raised their heads thanks to the scrum, where they collected three penalties in this sector during the first act. In turn, Herron did not tremble when bringing his team back into the game (19th, 23rd and 31, 9-16). In a delicate situation at the end of the first period, Lescure’s partners closed ranks to fall seven points behind his opponent at the break.

Colomiers showed his character

Continuously, the locals continued their fantastic comeback. Salles missed a first attempt (44th), and the Columérins were able to take advantage of it. The light came from the bench and a decision from Sarraute, with a change of hinge. Entering with dynamism, Galthié and Javaux put a lot of speed to offer a second wind to the Michel-Bendichou stadium. On a movement in the closed, the opener, with a fake pass then a skipped pass, shifted Ponpon perfectly (16-16, 49th).

More than 50 meters away, Javaux, for the first time in the game, gave his club the advantage (19-16, 53rd), before experiencing a first failure at long distance (58th). Salles, after a penalty collected in the scrum, continued the crossover (19-19, 61st). In an unbreathable end to the game, where the battle for territory was intense, Javaux missed a new penalty (74th). Selponi was blocked on the drop of the win (80th + 1). Finally, looking at the appearance, the sharing of points is logical.

Next Friday, October 13, Colomiers will travel to Béziers. Provence Rugby will make a second trip in a row to Montauban.