French Top 14 round five: Castres pushes past Racing Metro
Castres was able to push their way past Racing Metro at home in Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin over the weekend.
Castres was the stronger of the two sides in a win at home over Racing Metro in round five. Castres was only able to take a slim three-point lead into the half as the two sides were very well matched early on. Nevertheless, early in the second half the home side was able to build a solid lead, which they held onto, claiming a 31-25 victory.
Recap
Castres was able to get on the board first with a penalty from full-back Romain Teulet in the sixth minute, giving his side an early 3-0 lead.
Racing Metro answered back quickly as Juan Martin Hernandez put through a penalty of his own in the eighth minute to lock the game up at three.
Teulet was able to briefly reclaim the lead for his side with a penalty in the 13th minute, however only one minute later Hernandez converted on a drop-goal to notch the game back up. The fly-half then kicked a penalty in the 18th minute to give his side a 9-6 advantage.
However, Teulet finished off the half with two penalties in the 27th and 37th minutes respectively, allowing the home side to take a 12-9 lead into half-time.
After the break the tee continued to be the preferred method of scoring as Teulet and Hernandez exchanged penalties early. Teulet then knocked down another two penalties in the 53rd and 58th minutes to push his sides lead out a 21-12 advantage.
The game finally met with its first try when Seremaia Baikeninuku crossed the whitewash for the home side in the 60th minute. Teulet continued his stellar day by hitting the conversion and the lead was extended to 28-12.
Racing added a try, conversion and penalty late. However it was not enough as Castres was able to claim the 31-25 victory.
Analysis
Castres continues to force its way to the top of the table now sitting in fourth spot. With a point differential of plus-10 they have been able to win matches by playing smart, fundamental rugby. If they are able to continue getting results they could be a factor late in the year.
Racing Metro continues to baffle French rugby fans. They have struggled with consistency all year, as one week they look good enough to defeat the best clubs in the League and the next week they cannot seem to find the try-line.
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