Perpignan outgun Auch

Editor

Perpignan took a step closer to the Top 14 semi-finals with a hard fought 25-13 victory away to Auch on Friday.

Perpignan took a step closer to the Top 14 semi-finals with a hard fought 25-13 victory away to Auch on Friday.

Auch fly-half Fred Couzier opened the scoring with a 50m try against the run of play. Perpignan replied almost immediately with a try from full-back Jérôme Porical.

A few minutes later Perpignan took control of the match and doubled their score thanks to a well-worked try from left wing Julien Candelon.

Porical converted to make the score 12-5.

Perpignan fly-half Gavin Hume slotted a drop goal just before the half-time whistle to give the visitors a 15- 5.

Auch started the second period with bang and Couzier kicked a penalty to keep them in the game at 15-8. Perpignan weren't to be kept down though and David Marty provided centre partner Jean-Philippe Grandclaude with a perfect pass as the Catalans scored their third try.

Auch scored a try through hooker Sébastien Bortolucci, but were put out of the game when Porical kicked a penalty to make it 25-13.

The scorers:

For Auch:
Tries:
Fred Couzier, Sébastien Bortolucci
Pen: Fred Couzier

For Perpignan:
Tries:
Jérôme Porical, Julien Candelon, Jean-Philippe Grandclaude
Cons: Jérôme Porical 2
Pen: Jérôme Porical
Drop: Gavin Hume