Top 14: Montauban batter hapless Toulon
01 November 2008
 Montauban
42 (30) Toulon (3) 20
Try-happy Montauban made it 10 in two games as they
demolished hapless Toulon with a rampant, free-running
display that underlined the contrasting fortunes of both
teams.
The home side ran in six tries, with Fijian wing Vilimoni
Delasau helping himself to a hat-trick, as they revelled in
the confidence gleaned from last week’s victory in Clermont.
Their handling was slick throughout and they capitalised
handsomely on Toulon’s creaky and uncertain defence,
especially out wide where Delasau ran them ragged.
The veteran sevens star displayed his full repertoire of
skills – ranging from silky running and nifty footwork,
through to an uncompromising forearm smash – as he took his
season’s try tally to nine.
The 31-year-old could even afford to sit out the last 20
minutes, by which time Montauban led 42-3, as he reserved
energy ahead of his Pacific Islands match against England at
Twickenham next week.
But Delasau wasn’t the only green gem to shine on a wintry
evening, with captain Marc Raynaud putting in another
immense performance at No 8 following last week’s heroics
against Clermont.
Indeed, it was Raynaud who started the try-fest when he
charged over from close range after five minutes following a
quick tap penalty. Centre Jean-Philippe Viard soon added
Montauban’s second following excellent hands by Julien Audy
and Fabien Fortassin – playing at full back – and Delasau’s
chip and chase made it three after just 24 minutes.
Prop Benjamin Sa then caught the mood and executed a sweet
dummy before off-loading for Rida Jahouer to score, with
Fortassin adding the conversion and a subsequent drop-goal
to leave it 30-3 and game over by half time.
Delasau added two more tries within 15 minutes of the
restart – the first another chip and chase, the second a
counter-attack from within his own half – and Toulon were
threatened with humiliation at the continual breach of their
flaccid defence.
It was only avoided as a raft of substitutes broke up
Montauban’s rhythm, with the visitors taking advantage to
run in three meaningless late tries – through Orene Ai’i,
Joe van Niekerk and Luke Rooney. The scoreline may have
flattered Toulon’s performance but anyone who saw the match
would know how wretched they were for an hour – and that’s
all it took to put the game out of sight.
Tana Umaga wore a forlorn look throughout, resigned perhaps
to further upheaval following the return of Aubin Hueber to
the coaching staff earlier this week. Captain Jerry Collins
was defiant throughout, but his colleagues played without
thought or collectively and were duly punished.
The result leaves them facing the possibility of ending the
weekend in the relegation zone (if Castres beat
Montpellier), and they have now conceded exactly 100 points
in their last three Top 14 games.
They look a dejected squad and further action will have to
be taken if they have any realistic hopes of avoiding the
drop. They made so many basic errors, epitomised by
Sebastien Fauque twice missing touch in three minutes from a
brace of penalties. Such profligacy is unaffordable at this
level, and helps explain why it was Toulon’s sixth defeat of
a badly faltering campaign. Still, next up is Toulouse away.
Montauban, on the other hand, celebrated with their fans at
a delirious Stade Sapiac after climbing (temporarily at
least) to fifth in the table. This was their first
back-to-back victory, and augurs well for the season ahead.
Montauban v Toulon
Tries Raynaud, Delasau 3, Viard, Jahouer Ai’I, van
Niekerk, Rooney
Conversions Fortassin (3) Pisi
Penalties Fortassin Fauque
Drop goals Fortassin
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