Stade win first Toulouse derby

No way through for BSORF's Audrey Forlani in their derby against Toulouse

When St Orens were looking for a new home two or three years ago they approached, among others, Stade Toulousian but eventually settled 3km away at Blagnac, rechristening themselves the Blagnac St Orens.

Then, around 18 months ago, Toulousian decided that they did want to venture into women’s rugby, and reached an agreement with Avenir Fonsorbais, who moved 20 km into the city to form Stade Toulousian Feminin.

With Stade winning promotion to the Top 8 in their first year, the result was two teams separated by little more than the River Garonne. By road they are barely 3km – less than 2 miles – apart. As a result there has been some interest in the first derby game between these two very close neighbours.

This finally took place on Sunday at Stade Ernest Wallon, the home of Toulouse. After a minute’s silence in honour of the victims of the attacks in Paris. Once match began is was the Toulouse who the initiative and, despite BSORF’s resistance, the home side went ahead with a 6thminute penalty through captain Laure Sansus.

The pressure of the Derby – plus a good crowd – perhaps had an effect on the teams, as the game was anything other than a classic. However referee Simon Mickael kept the game flowing and after 20 minutes Blagnac had chance to level the scores, but Audrey Abadie could not make the kick. Then,, just before the break, Sansus kicked a second penalty to send the home team into the break at 6-0.

As the second half began Toulouse increased the pressure and after 53 minutes won a scrum against the head leading to the games opening try, Sansus touching down and converting. Toulouse were now firmly on top, taking full advantage of BSORF’s defensive mistakes. After 64 minutes came the second try, with the pack driving over.

Following a card BSORF took advantage with Carla Neisen scoring a try pulling the victors back to 18-7. But the advantage did not last, and in the final five minutes Toulose were able to add two more tries through Sansus and Beauparlant to end with a well-deserved 28-7 win.

Toulouse Captain Laure Sansus was delighted by the result - "Although we have worked for it since early August, we would have happily accepted this result if it had been offered before the start. It was our best performance this season." BSORF centre Elodie Houllé was rather more blunt in her assessment: "We took a kick in the backside, as any team that fails to score when they are on top, as we were in the first half."

In the day’s other game Montpellier took advantage of the cancellation of Lille’s game with Bobigny to go top after a 22-3 home win against Rennes. The visitors have had a touch season so far, but held the champions to only 5-0 at halftime, following an early try from Noemie Sanch. However in the second it was the forwards who took over, driving over twice in the opening minutes of the half with first Claire Sarfati and the Gaelle Mignot getting the touchdowns. Rennes pulled a penalty back shortly afterwards, but that was countered by a Claire Sarfati kick near the end giving Montpellier a 22-3 win, that bonus point being just enough to put them above Lille to top the table for the first time this season.

CLUB

P

W

D

L

PD

BP

F

PTS

1

MONTPELLIER R C

6

4

1

1

129

5

0

23

2

LILLE METROPOLE RC VILLENEUVOIS

5

4

1

0

120

4

0

22

3

STADE TOULOUSAIN RUGBY FEMININ

6

4

1

1

86

3

0

21

4

BLAGNAC SAINT ORENS RUGBY FEMININ

6

4

0

2

-1

2

0

18

5

A C BOBIGNY 93 RUGBY

5

2

1

2

0

3

0

13

6

STADE RENNAIS RUGBY

6

2

0

4

-33

3

0

11

7

L OVALIE CAENNAISE

6

1

0

5

-151

1

0

5

8

U S A P XV FEMININ ROUSSILLON

6

0

0

6

-150

0

6

-12