Racing Montauban Falls Short in 35-36 Loss to Saint-Genès Champanelle

Racing Montauban squandered a significant lead in a 35-36 defeat to Saint-Genès Champanelle during a postponed regional semifinal, according to match reports. The Tarn-et-Garonnais side, who held a 14-point advantage at halftime, collapsed in the second half due to repeated disciplinary issues, including 50 minutes of numerical inferiority, as detailed by DDM, – R.-C. B..

Key Moments in the Match

The match, played at Chameyrat in Corrèze under 26°C conditions, saw Montauban dominate the first half. Tom Tintinger opened the scoring with a penalty in the 7th minute, while Saint-Genès Champanelle’s Bruguière scored the first try. By halftime, Montauban led 25-11, according to the official match summary.

However, Montauban’s indiscipline unraveled their lead. The team received two yellow cards and two reds, forcing them to play 50 minutes with fewer players. Saint-Genès Champanelle capitalized, scoring 11 points in the final 10 minutes to take a 36-35 lead. Montauban’s last-ditch effort by Tom Tintinger fell short, as he failed a 40-meter kick in the final moments.

Coaches’ Reactions

Youn Sallé, Montauban’s coach, criticized his team’s discipline, stating, “We had the match in hand but let it slip away due to unnecessary infractions,” as reported by DDM, – R.-C. B.. Player Youssef Kouati, who is leaving the club, added, “We were penalized by our numerical disadvantages. It was my last match, and I wish the team well.”

Saint-Genès Champanelle’s coach, Alexandre Laviale, acknowledged the challenge: “We struggled in the first half but regrouped in the second. It’s a tough loss for Montauban, but we’re focused on the final,” according to DDM, – R.-C. B..

Impact on the Season

The defeat ends Montauban’s hopes of reaching the regional final, where they will face Maubourguet. Copresident Michel Girouard Le Drean called the loss “a learning experience,” noting, “We had the chance to go further but couldn’t manage the pressure.”

Montauban’s season, which saw them reach the semifinals, will now conclude with a new coaching setup. The club confirmed that Youn Sallé and David Fauché will lead the team next season, replacing Julien Lacombe, who has opted not to continue.

Match Statistics

Montauban’s lineup included captain Anthony Lafitte, with key contributors like Paul Boisse and Tom Tintinger. Saint-Genès Champanelle’s victory was fueled by tries from Bruguière, Douarre, and Di Penta, along with penalties from Coustet and Berthelot. The match saw 10 cards issued, including two reds for Montauban, according to the official match report.