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Tue 6 Dec 2016 | 08:24
Five outstanding tries from week 13 of the Top 14

8
Comments

Throughout the end-of-year tests there has been the odd smattering of club rugby, with a handful of Anglo-Welsh, Aviva Premiership and PRO12 fixtures taking place. One permanent presence of course has been the Top 14.

The French league has often copped its fair share of slack for its unrelenting calendar. But on the plus side, there is a great selection of tries from last weekend for us all to enjoy, before European action kicks off again this week.

All in all, it was a high scoring round for all but a few sides with a total of 50 tries scored across the seven matches. There were a couple of surprise results with Pau defeating Clermont 40-35 and Stade Français putting more than 50 past 14-man Bayonne.

Perhaps the most disappointed side last weekend was struggling Grenoble, who must be wondering what they have to do to secure victories after they scored 37 points at home to Montpellier. The problem for Bernard Jackman's side was that they also conceded 51 in what was a hugely entertaining game.

Grenoble, who continue to languish at the bottom of the league, must overturn a 10 point deficit to 12th placed Lyon in the second half of the season if they are to avoid relegation to PRO D2.

At the top, Clermont remain clear leaders on 41 points, with Montpellier heading an almighty battle for beat of the rest; 10 points cover 2nd to 10th in the standings.

Catch the five best tries from round 13 in the video below

Posted By: Stephen Brunsdon

8 Comments

  • stroudos
    3:12 PM 14/12/2016

    Playing wing at the level I do is usually a cold and frustrating experience.

    I often play with a big scrumhalf, (first time I met him I assumed he'd picked up the 6 shirt by mistake), who is renowned for not passing unless he absolutely has to. Either crashes it up himself - very effectively, or hoofs the leather off it - usually declaring "did you see that? you can't coach that!" as we grudgingly accept it was a decent option well executed. All the sprinting up and down the wing chasing his bloody box kicks never really played to my strengths to be honest. I decided a long time ago that the best option was to come in off the wing at every opportunity and if I didn't get the ball (>90% of the time) I'd just hit a ruck, partly to warm up, partly just to get involved in the action.

  • oliver
    11:22 AM 11/12/2016

    You might be on to something there! But as a tall/skinny guy, everyone always assumed it was best to have me play somewhere between 9 and 15.

    Having a guy like me play a forward position wouldn't benefit anyone I think ha (least of all me!). I just picked up on what you were saying because of lingering memories of games spent running around as a winger to cover the field, in case the opposing team kicked, and not seeing much of the ball at all.... It's different for wingers in professional teams of course, but at low level rugby it can be a very frustrating position!

  • stroudos
    1:00 PM 09/12/2016

    Oliver, I play wherever they pick me mate. Or wherever the bloke who just left the field injured was playing. So far this season, I've done all the back row positions, hooker, both centre positions and wing. 14, 6 and 2 in one single game the other week! Jack of all trades, master of none. And I think this probably also gives a decent indication of the level I play at.

    Playing more often as a forward these days and I'll tell you what - when you go back to playing as a back after a few games of groundhog flanker shit, it makes you a LOT more careful with the ball on the few occasions the bastards let you get your grubby paws on it.

    I actually think all backs should be made to play a couple of games as a forward. Truly appreciating the amount of work that goes into securing the bloody ball I think makes you a better back.

  • drg
    9:00 AM 08/12/2016

    Hahahaha, "what's happening in there?"
    "It's bad man, coach is giving him the hairdryer treatment"
    *Door opens to coach standing their with a hairdryer*

  • oliver
    8:59 AM 08/12/2016

    Stroudos, I'm guessing you're a forward......gotta let wingers have their fun you know.

    It compensates for all the time they have to run/stand around, hoping like hell that the ball goes all the way to the wing for once!

  • stroudos
    6:22 AM 08/12/2016

    Krip, I apologise. Let me put down my keyboard warrior's shield and sword.

    You realise it was a figure of speech? Here are some alternatives with the same meaning:

    I hope the coach:
    - read him the riot act
    - threw the book at him
    - gave him the hairdryer treatment.

    None of these should be taken literally.

  • krip
    1:07 PM 07/12/2016

    You are pretty brave throwing "punch him in the face" comments on the internet. Is that how you school players in your club?

  • stroudos
    12:10 PM 06/12/2016

    Was it "bring your kids to work" day at that first match?

    Raisuqe, 1:48 - I hope the coach punched him in the face after the game for that ridiculous dive that very nearly took him into touch.

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