French Top 14 round three: La Rochelle pushes past Bourgoin-Jallieu
La Rochelle was able to push past Bourgoin-Jallieu at home in Stade Marcel-Deflandre over the weekend.
La Rochelle played solid rugby early in a victory over Bourgoin-Jallieu. La Rochelle was able to do enough to take a five-point lead into half-time. After the break La Rochelle tacked on a couple more penalties and then did enough on defence to cruise to a 20-12 victory.
Recap
Bourgoin opened the scoring quickly with a penalty from Alberto di Bernardo in the second minute, to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage.
La Rochelle battled back with a penalty of their own in the 10th minute from Sebastien Boboul to even the game up at three.
Nevertheless, di Bernardo was able to get the lead back for Bourgoin in the 13th minute by adding his second penalty of the game, making it 6-3.
However, Boboul once again matched his opponents output with a three pointer of his own in the 22nd minute to tie the game at six.
La Rochelle was then able to fight their way over the whitewash with a score in the 28th minute from Benjamin Ferrou. The try was the only one of the game and it put the home side up 11-6.
The half was finished off with Boboul and di Bernardo once again exchanging penalties, allowing the host to take a 14-9 lead into the break.
After half-time, Boboul got his side on the board quickly hitting two penalties in the 45th and 49th minutes respectively. The two scores moved the advantage to 20-12.
The lead proved to be too much for Bourgoin as La Rochelle settled back into defensive rugby and held the visitors scoreless for the remainder of the match.
Analysis
With the win La Rochelle now has eight points and has found their way clear of the League basement with their two wins. They were not supposed to challenge this season, however the lack of disparity between clubs so far this year means La Rochelle could have a chance to push for the top half of the standings.
Bourgoin-Jallieu continues to struggle, having not recorded in a win or a point yet this season, while their inability to score has earned them the worst point-differential in the League. If Bourgoin hopes to avoid relegation they are going to have to improve on their mere 36 points so far this campaign.
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