Toulouse Olympique wins over Rochdale

Toulouse at last won their first league points against a stubborn Hornets side who looked lively for the first quarter but later caved in as the french outfit found their form.

Early spring weather helped dry out the pitch after last weekends’ mudbath which suited both sides’ running game. Hornets started the more confident as TO 13 seemed to overplay which led to errors gifting their opponents precious field position. Hornets worked hard and looked positive and had Toulouse on the backfoot for most of the opening 25 minutes so it was no surprise when they took the lead on 16 minutes after a well placed dink to the left corner from Elliott Jenkins found winger Brandon Wood well placed to score in the corner, Danny Abram added the extras. Five mintes later TO13 equalised after good work across the pitch ending with Gavin Marguerite scoring right side. Rochdale player /coach Carl Forster, in his first season as Hornets coach brought himself on which ironically seemed to slow the momentum of his team. Sylvain Houles also rang the changes as Tyla Hepi came on after 25 minutes and this changed the dynamic of the game. Suddenly the french looked more threatening and more tries followed from Johnno Ford , Stan Robin and Mark Kheirallah before the interval giving the hosts a 22-6 lead.

More misery for Rochdale after the break as Marguerite scored his second and winger Ilias Bergal shortly after therefore sealing the victory. TO13 took the foot off the pedal and Hornets scored their second try on 57 minutes by the Warrington DR player Sitaleki Akauola who steamed over the line unapposed as Toulouse lost concentration. Toulouse re took the initiative and looked confident again as Rochdale tired. Two more four-poiners before the final hooter through Robin and Wiliam Barthau to finish off a satisfactory days work for the home side.

Two away games at Swinton and Bradford coming up for the french in which victories are imperative in order to compete in the top five but coach Houles knows he has a lot to work on to improve the game over 80 minutes.

Toulouse : Mark Kheirallah, Tony Maurel, Bastien Ader, Gavin Marguerite, Ilias Bergal, Johnathon Ford, Stan Robin, Joe Bretherton, Dean Parata, Clement Boyer, Con Mika, Rhys Curran, Anthon Marion. Subs : William Barthau, Ben Evans, Tyla Hepi, Justin Sangaré.

Tries : Marguerite (21,41), Ford (24), Robin (32,64), Kheirallah (40), Bergel (47), Barthau (71). Goals : Kheirallah 5/8

Hornets : Dan Abram, Shaun Ainscough, Ellis Gillam, Jordan Case, Brandon Wood, Tyla Whittaker, Elliott Jenkins, Pat Moran, Matt Davis, Sitaleki Akaoula, Mike Weldon, Lee Mitchell, Ryan Millington. Subs : Carl Forster, Declan Gregory, Callum Wood, Luis Johnson.

Tries : Wood (16), Akaoula (57). Goals : Abram 2/2

MOM – Stan Robin
Weather – Sunny 17°
Referee – Michael Mannifield 80/100
Attendance – 1707

Dave Andrews