14-man Racing see off Bordeaux Bègles
Racing 92's Maxime Machenaud kicks a penalty during the European Rugby Champions Cup, Pool Four match at Welford Road, Leicester. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday January 21, 2018. See PA story RUGBYU Leicester. Photo credit should read: Tim Goode/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only, No commercial use without prior permission.
Racing 92 consolidated their position amongst the front-runners in the Top 14 after beating Bordeaux Bègles 45-27 at the La Défense Arena in Paris on Sunday.
The home side were full value for their win as they outscored UBB by six tries to three but their win was marred by a red card to replacement scrum-half Teddy Iribaren, who received his marching orders for punching Baptiste Serin.
The result means Racing move into joint third-place with Lyon on the table on 56 points from 20 matches played.
For Racing, Maxime Macheneaud led the way with a 13-point haul courtesy of five conversions and a penalty. Their other points came via tries from Bernard Le Roux, Donnacha Ryan, Camille Chat, Vasil Kakovin, Boris Palu and Simon Zebo while Ben Volavola also slotted a conversion.
For Bordeaux Bègles, Yann Lesgourgues, Nans Ducuing and Semi Radradra crossed the whitewash and Brock James (2) and Matthieu Jalibert added conversions and James also succeeded with a penalty.
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UBB held a slight edge during the opening half and led 20-14 at half-time after Lesgourgues and Ducuing scored tries with Le Roux and Ryan dotting down for the home side.
It was all Racing after the interval with Chat, Kakovin and Palu scoring their tries before Iribaren was sent off in the 70th minute.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Racing continued to attack and they were rewarded when Zebo crossed the whitewash before Radradra scored a consolation try for the visitors.
In Sunday’s other game, league leaders Toulouse won 23-19 away to La Rochelle to go seven points clear at the top. Lucas Tauzin and Piula Faasalele scored their tries while Thomas Ramos kicked 13 points. In reply, Vincent Rattez crossed for the hosts with Ihaia West adding 14 points off the tee.