Albi wins over Saint-Gaudens
Review of the game between Albi and Saint-Gaudens for the third round of Elite 1.
Probably just about the correct result at the Mazicou but St Gaudens, looking to continue the momentum after their narrow win against title hopefuls FCL last weekend matched Albi for most of the game but MOM Morgan Carensac was the difference between the two sides. He looked comfortable and assured in his second match after the upgrade from Elite 2 at Villefranche to the top division. The visitors did their best to spoil the masterclass but even a dangerous high tackle on him in the opening minutes which looked a possible red didn’t make any difference. Albi took a couple of early penalties close to the posts and an interception on halfway on 29 minutes from Carensac saw the Elite 1 new boy open up and sprint to the line with four defenders unable to catch him. St Gaudens looked dangerous but Albi weathered the storm and rubbed salt in the wound after a Carensac dink to the left allowed winger Pedrero to meet the ball perfectly in the left corner take his team in to the sheds with a ten point lead at the break.
Gilles Dumas’ side came out of the blocks the more confident and scored their first points of the afternoon on 53 minutes when right winger Thibault Marsand nipped the corner but the home side extended their lead five minutes later with Pedrero’s second try in the left corner after a penetrating run by fullback Alex Grant. Their next attack sealed the game after a classy show and go from Cedric Mazars ending up under the posts allowed Carivanc to make the easy conversion. Albi looked comfortable but lost concentration in the last quarter and allowed St Gaudens in as Cyril Moliner pushed over on 63. Albi didn’t look troubled after that and flying winger Florian Deburghgraeve dived over the line in the right corner in the last couple of minutes to add four more points.
Decent game not helped by some pedantic reffing but Eric Anselme won’t mind as he claims another three points to make it two wins out of two.
Albi 26 – 10 St Gaudens
ALBI : Grant, Pedrero, Tailhades, Lescouzeres, Deburghgraeve, Carensac, Guinguet, Rodrigues, Carivenc, Uele, Mazars (cap), Ballinger, Garcia. Subs : Molinier, Tabu, Estruga, Fabre.
Tries : Carensac (29), Pedrero (35,58), Mazars (63), Deburghgraeve (77)
Goal : Carivenc
Pens : Carivenc & Carensac
SAINT-GAUDENS : Chanet, Arreon, Telai, Lucas, Marsand, Wall, Dumas, Leatigaga, Wastjer, Coyle, Moliner (cap), Trescasa, Vizcay. Subs : Quemener, Anger, Talazac, Berra.
Tries : Marsand (53), Moliner (67)
Goal : Berra
MOM – Morgan Carensac
Weather – Dry and mild
Match rating – 3/5
Ref Rating (Fabien Nicaud) – 6/10
Attendance – 500 estimated
Dave Andrews