The FCG passed very close but recovered a defensive bonus point on the Racing 92 pitch (24-23)
Etienne Dussartre announced it: there was a thing to do on the Racing 92 pitch on Saturday for the tenth round of the Top 14.
And the Grenoblois played this one hard. They are the ones who start the game best by holding the ball well. On a ball cleared out, played quickly, Gaëtan Germain restarted and slipped into the opponent's defence. After a stint from Raymond Rhule, the Grenoble defender scored the first try of the match (0-7, 15').
This try will awaken the home team: Virimi Vakatawa showed his power (7-7, 17'), then Henry Chavancy found a hole in the FCG defence to allow his team-mate to score a brace (17-7, 31').
However, the Grenoble side will be pragmatic at the end of the first half. Gaëtan Germain scored a first penalty just before the siren, then scored another one in the 43rd minute of play, allowing the "Rouge & Bleu" to enter the locker room with a 4 point gap (17-13, 40')
The FCG started well in the second half and quickly managed to turn a new penalty (17-16, 47'). The Isèrois even went ahead on the scoreboard, thanks to a try from Fabien Alexandre, who was well served by Franck Pourteau (17-23, 64').
The FCG's defence was then put to the test. She finally broke with 5 minutes to go (24-23, 76').
The last moments of the match were unbearable. On the siren, the FCG recovered the ball in a melee, then tried to position Ben Lucas for a drop. The opposing defence pushed the FCG back and, in an uncomfortable position, Ben Lucas saw his drop attempt countered...
This match will once again give the Grenoblois some regrets, but it also allows them to keep eleventh place in the standings, since all the competitors in the maintenance, from Pau to Perpignan, only took one point at home (Toulon conceded a loss without bonus in Bordeaux)
The "Rouge & Bleu" will play a second consecutive trip next Saturday against RC Toulon at Stade Mayol. A match that promises to be decisive for maintaining a Top 14 ranking!
Photo: Baptiste Paquot
Auteur : FCG Rugby