Biarritz come back to beat Racing Metro in classic battle
Biarritz came back from being 16-3 down to record a great 36-32 victory over Parisians Racing Metro on day 21 of the French Top 14 this past weekend.
Parc des Sports Aguilera was the venue as two-time European Cup finalists Biarritz put on a tremendous show for their home crowd, scoring four tries to two and giving themselves a huge boost towards their top six ambitions.
Racing weren't helped by the yellow carding of Francois Steyn for a high tackle on wing Zee Ngwenya. Julien Peyrelongue converted the penalty that was awarded for the offence, before Yann Lesgourgeus scored to bring the hosts closer.
Steyn redeemed himself somewhat in the second half, with a penalty from over 50m out, and that combined with another long range penalty and try to the visitors, put them in a 32-28 lead. It wasn't long before Biarritz crossed again though, with a penalty later on, four minutes from time, sealing it for the hosts.
"We were ahead on the scoreboard for quite a while without ever being able to drive home the final nail in the coffin. We were excellent for our first twenty minutes but we made too many errors afterwards which let the Biarrots back in the game," said Racing prop Julien Brugnaut.
Racing picked up a losing bonus point and remain in second place, but with Toulouse's win over Brive, the gap at the top is increasing.
Time: 09:51
Parc des Sports Aguilera was the venue as two-time European Cup finalists Biarritz put on a tremendous show for their home crowd, scoring four tries to two and giving themselves a huge boost towards their top six ambitions.
Racing weren't helped by the yellow carding of Francois Steyn for a high tackle on wing Zee Ngwenya. Julien Peyrelongue converted the penalty that was awarded for the offence, before Yann Lesgourgeus scored to bring the hosts closer.
Steyn redeemed himself somewhat in the second half, with a penalty from over 50m out, and that combined with another long range penalty and try to the visitors, put them in a 32-28 lead. It wasn't long before Biarritz crossed again though, with a penalty later on, four minutes from time, sealing it for the hosts.
"We were ahead on the scoreboard for quite a while without ever being able to drive home the final nail in the coffin. We were excellent for our first twenty minutes but we made too many errors afterwards which let the Biarrots back in the game," said Racing prop Julien Brugnaut.
Racing picked up a losing bonus point and remain in second place, but with Toulouse's win over Brive, the gap at the top is increasing.
Time: 09:51
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22 Comments:
First!
By ResidentTroll, at March 18, 2011 12:16 am
red 13, what a ball hog.
Nothing worse than a small center who doesn't let the ball get out to his wings... Especially with someone like that Zee guy out on the right flank!
Sorry for my rant, looked like a great game never the less.
:-)
By Blahhh, at March 18, 2011 1:46 am
man everytime i see biarritz play i see balshaw having a stormer. too bad he cant do it for england
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 7:41 am
Some nice passing / offloading.
Balshaw's really thriving down there isn't he!
Didn't see any evidence of Bosch (red 13) hogging the ball? Gave a nice pass for this first try and finished one off well too - can't see how/why he should have passed there.
By Von, at March 18, 2011 8:38 am
lolz at red, enough forward passes?
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 8:44 am
man everytime i see biarritz play i see balshaw having a stormer. too bad he cant do it for england
Too true. That step into space then onto the gas was pretty immense. Not sure how he might have played for the rest of the game though. No doubting his pace though.
By cp85, at March 18, 2011 10:30 am
Balshaw is showing Ben Foden how to play just now!
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 10:55 am
i thought that try at the end was very similiar to israel dagg's against south africa in the 3 nations
By Leeners93, at March 18, 2011 10:55 am
How's Zee getting on? I don't get to watch French rugby, would like to think he's become a more rounded player and can't wait to see him perform again at the World Cup
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 11:39 am
balshaw absolutely ripping it up in the Top 14.
to be fair, id be ripping it up if i was playing in the basque sunshine all the time.
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 12:35 pm
Balshaw is playin some of the best rugby of his career. Thanks Martin Johnson for not picking him against Ireland tommorrow!!!!!!!!!
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 1:34 pm
who's the 11 that was playing for biarritz? Good finish, and as it has already been said was a bit like Dagg'sin the tri nations.
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 1:49 pm
I think most people had assumed Balshaw had gone to Biarritz to top up the retirement fund and complete his playing days in the sun. In fairness, he's playing the best rugby of his career and deserves another England look in.
I still reckon Foden is first choice for England but if it's a choice between Armitage and Balshaw for the World Cup Squad it's got to be Balshaw.
By Nick, at March 18, 2011 1:52 pm
One knock on, one forward pass, two tries... WTF?!
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 2:27 pm
Anyone else think a Balshaw, Foden, Ashton back 3 would be successful for England?
By Anonymous, at March 18, 2011 2:32 pm
@Anon: n°11 is Bolakoro. He doesn't play that much usually (not a game starter) and he's capable of everything (really good things, as last weekend or really bad playing, depends on the day).
By Threma, at March 18, 2011 4:41 pm
At anon 2.32pm
No, I don't think Ballshaw should be in the England set-up.
He plays very well for Biarritz, but that's just all he is: a great club-player.
He just can't seem to make the step up. Must be something mentally, I guess.
On the practical side: I don't think he has a contract that obligates Biarritz to release him for international duty.
But as I said: he can play spectacularly for his club...
By Guy, at March 18, 2011 5:57 pm
So...are forward passes and knock-ons just not recognised in France?
By Cynic, at March 18, 2011 9:28 pm
Balshaw is playing the rugby of his life down there!
What a fantastic match! I love these French highlights; thank you RugbyDump!
By SmellyNerfherder, at March 19, 2011 12:23 pm
Ian Balshaw is playing great stuff, only a matter of time until they start talking about bringing him back into the england squad. And then he'll go back to shite.
By Anonymous, at March 19, 2011 3:05 pm
Balshaw has expressed a desire to play for England, its the RFU that won't allow it. there lost, great footballer coming into his own.
This is how rubgy should be played, free flowing, without boundaries.
By Canadian Content, at March 22, 2011 12:10 am
was there a Biarritz deliberate knock down just before 3 mins? Almost like a tactic - i.e. bounce it backwards, basketball-style?
By mise, at March 23, 2011 12:14 am
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