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Too many fouls to hope for a victory

  • Enzo Selponi

Grenoble come back with no point from Perpignan (20-13)

4 yellow cards, 1 penalty try, about 20 penalties conceded: the "Rouge & Bleu" did not give themselves every chance to win against Perpignan by putting themselves so much at fault, against generous and dominant Perpignanese, but clumsy and above all lacking imagination and efficiency.

The first sanction came after the sixth minute of play, with a yellow card against Davit Kubriashvili, following an exchange of blows with Enzo Forletta, also sanctioned. The Perpignanese, with the support of the wind, camped in the Grenoble camp, but only managed to score two penalties (6-0, 33'). Meanwhile, the Catalans missed two major try opportunities: a pass in front of Taumoepeau and a flattened ball before the line by Julien Farnoux. The Grenoble team had two chances to score: Corentin Glénat found the post on penalty, then Pablo Uberti found an interval before seeing his pass intercepted in his 22.

At the end of the first half, the Grenoble team, reduced to 14 after Alaska Taufa's yellow card, defended their goal line hard. They finally conceded a penalty attempt in the 43rd minute, while Mickaël Capelli was, in turn, excluded for 10 minutes.

The Grenoble team came back with other intentions and the wind behind them at the beginning of the second half. Shortly before the hour mark, Enzo Selponi intercepted an opponent's pass and kicked the ball over Lucas Dupont, who was caught in the 22 opponents. The Grenoblois obtained a melee on this action. On this one, Enzo Selponi is served, eliminates Taumoepeau and will score under the posts (13-7, 56')

Back in the game, the Isèrois saw their efforts wiped out, after a new yellow card (Leva Fifita) by a good percussion of Taumoepeau on Blanc-Mappaz and Taufa. The Catalan centre passed on to Ehru, who gave his team a head start (20-7, 67').

Nevertheless, the Isèrois managed to get back on track, with two penalties scored by his usher (20-13, 76'). With one last scrum to play against 22 opponents, Grenoble still has the opportunity to bring back a defensive bonus or a draw. Unfortunately, this one didn't work and had a second consecutive move without scoring a single point.

After this defeat, the FCG is second, and sees Perpignan return to 3 points. The "Rouge & Bleu" will be back in competition in two weeks, with Rouen's reception at the Stade des Alpes, to start the third block.