Castres beat Toulouse to maintain play-off push

Castres kept themselves in contention for the top-six thanks to an excellent second-half display against Toulouse, defeating the visitors 28-23 at the Stade Pierre-Fabre.

Despite the end result, Les Rouge et Noir were superb in the opening period and took a 17-3 advantage following two tries by Gael Fickou and Yoann Huget.

The first was particularly well worked as Yoann Huget broke through, linked with Maxime Medard and the wing fed Fickou to score.

Although a Benjamin Urdapilleta penalty reduced the arrears, Thomas Ramos’ effort off the tee regained the seven-point buffer, before Huget touched down from close range.

Julien Dumora crossed the whitewash to give the hosts hope but successive Ramos three-pointers opened up a seemingly comfortable 23-8 buffer at the break.

Roles were much reversed after the interval with Christophe Urios’ men dominating proceedings. Dumora rewarded their pressure with a second try and the home side now had the momentum.

Toulouse were struggling defensively and they conceded yet again through Alex Tulou’s effort, a score which took them to within one point.

The visitors’ spectacular implosion continued when Urdapilleta moved Castres in front for the first time in the match and Rory Kockott then secured the win late on.

The scorers:

For Castres:
Tries: Dumora 2, Tulou
Cons: Urdapilleta 2
Pens: Urdapilleta 2, Kockott

For Toulouse:
Tries: Fickou, Huget
Cons: Ramos 2
Pens: Ramos 3

Castres: 15 Julien Dumora, 14 Armand Batlle, 13 Thomas Combezou, 12 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 11 David Smith, 10 Benjamin Urdapilleta, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Alex Tulou, 7 Mathieu Babillot, 6 Yannick Caballero, 5 Rodrigo Capo Ortega, 4 Loic Jacquet, 3 Daniel Kotze, 2 Jody Jenneker, 1 Antoine Tichit
Replacements: 16 Marc-Antoine Rallier, 17 Tudor Stroe, 18 Christophe Samson, 19 Maama Vaipulu, 20 Yohan Domenech, 21 Julien Caminati, 22 Robert Ebersohn, 23 Yohan Montes

Toulouse: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 8 Louis-Benoit Madaule, 7 Rynhard Elstadt, 6 Piula Faasalele, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Joe Tekori, 19 Francois Cros, 20 Selevasio Tolofua, 21 Anthony Meric, 22 Wandile Mjekevu, 23 Dorian Aldegheri

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz
Assistant referees: Laurent Cardona, Bruno Gabaldon
TMO: Laurent Sclafer