Toulon trounced & Racing rumbled as Stade reach summit

[cyRil]

Round 8 of the Top 14 had a familiar feel to it as, over the course of the weekend, there were upsets, punch ups and the obligatory home win for Clermont Auvergne.

Stade claimed top spot by grinding down Montpellier, Bayonne triumphed in the Basque derby, Racing fell away at the reigning champions, Grenoble and Brive could not be separated and Perpignan and Oyonnax had their own respective victories over league heavyweights.

It all kicked off at Stade Jean Bouin on Friday night where Stade Francais maintained their unbeaten record at home with an 18-11 win over 2011 finalists Montpellier.
Despite a bright start, wasteful kicking from Francois Trinh-Duc and Jonathan Pelissie cost the visitors valuable points and when Rabah Slimani crashed over it was the home side that took a 10-3 lead into the changing rooms.
Julien Dupuy extended SFP's advantage after the break before great evasive running and slick hands from full-back Hugo Bonneval released Jules Plisson for the hosts' game-breaking score.
Trinh-Duc claimed a late try for MHRC but it was all in vain.

Stade Charles Mathon is becoming something of a fortress this season and the recent tradition of scalps continued on Saturday as Oyonnax stunned Toulon with a late show.
The minnows have proved tough opponents thus far in the Top 14 and were at it again in the early stages against the European champions, with Florian Denos dramatically diving over in the corner within five minutes.
Benjamin Urdapilleta and Jonny Wilkinson played out a kicking duel as the half wore on, with the English talisman dragging the visitors back within a point; before his well-executed miss-pass allowed Delon Armitage a free run-in to score and grab the lead. Conrad Barnard's smart drop goal narrowed the scoreline to 19-16 on the stroke of half-time.
Urdapilleta was firing on all cylinders, to the delight of the home crowd, and the Argentine soon had Oyonnax back in front with two successful penalties.
Wilkinson was not to be outdone and a three-pointer of his own tied the scores as the clock ticked down and the hosts' Valentin Ursache saw yellow. But a wonderful drop goal from the Puma pivot - worthy of Wilko himself - sailed through the sticks to send the fans wild and seal a famous win.

Bayonne stole the bragging rights at Stade Jean Dauger, overcoming Biarritz 27-19 and consigning their Basque neighbours to a seventh defeat in eight.
Martin Bustos Moyano was flawless in the opening exchanges for AB with three penalties and although Joe Pietersen got BO on the board, Pelu Ian Taele's red card in the 8th minute meant it would be a monumental task for the struggling former champions.
So it proved, as first Marvin O'Connor and then Mike Phillips punished Laurent Rodriguez's side with powerful finishes and despite Pietersen recording a try of his own, it was nothing more than consolation.

Thomas Sanchou's red card was the only moment of colour in what was otherwise a bore-fest between Grenoble and Brive.
Four penalties a-piece for Valentin Courrent and Gaetan Germain contributed the 12-12 scoreline and despite Sanchou's early dismissal the sides could not be split.

Castres are finally beginning to motor this season and the 19-15 defeat of Racing will do much to remove the early-season lethargy at Stade Pierre Antoine.
Benjamin Lapeyre kicked Racing ahead, but scrum-half Rory Kockott replied in kind for Castres and when Antoine Battut was binned for killing a promising attack the hosts asserted their dominance.
Another Kockott penalty cemented the groundwork and soon after Marcel Garvey made the most the man advantage to outpace the Racing defence with a clever kick ahead, gathered and dotted down.
Jonathan Sexton and Remi Tales exchanged second half kicks to tighten the scores and when Antonie Claassen was dismissed for a stamp on Sexton things really got interesting.
But Castres dug in and clung on for the win, with Kockott's last-minute penalty giving the hosts breathing space.

Saturday evening saw two of the traditionally bigger clubs face off as Perpignan took the spoils against Toulouse at Stade Aime Giral.
Winger Siofane Guitoune made the most of fortuitous circumstances to hack downfield and, with no covering defence, plant down to open the scoring.
James Hook's two penalties extended the scores and an exchange between the full-back and Luke McAlister made it 14-6 to the hosts at the break.
Another Hook penalty extended the score, but a Sebastian Bezy close-range try and McAlister three-pointer brought the visitors within a point.
But a late drop goal from the mercurial Welshman stole the points for USAP.

There was no Christian charity on Sunday as five-try Clermont battered Bordeaux at Stade Marcel Michelin, 40-11.
A nervy start from the hosts saw the away side claim the game's first try through fly-half Romain Lonca.
Lee Byrne joined Cameron Treloar in the sin-bin before the half-hour but home hooker Tii Paulo's good work saw ASM ahead at the break.
It was one-way traffic after the restart as Napolioni Nalaga's brace built the lead, while a host of Bordeaux infringements led to yellows for Julien Rey, Silviu Florea and Felix LeBourhis.
With Rafael Ibanez's men down to 12 they proved easy pickings and further tries for Sitiveni Sivivatu and Byrne completed the bonus point rout.



@therugbyforum | @thomasodavies

 

[gaston le gaff]

After watching all the matches Toulon TROUNCHED is a little over the top, there is no argument about the Oyonnax victory and the merit they deserve for never giving up but Toulon could have won the game just as easily, they did not. so your ***le gives little eveidence of someone who actually saw the match and a report from newspapers or internet clips looks more in evidence.
PS I am not and never have been a supporter of Toulon. Match reports should be honest and biased.

 

[Tony Manx]

After watching all the matches Toulon TROUNCHED is a little over the top, there is no argument about the Oyonnax victory and the merit they deserve for never giving up but Toulon could have won the game just as easily, they did not. so your ***le gives little eveidence of someone who actually saw the match and a report from newspapers or internet clips looks more in evidence.
PS I am not and never have been a supporter of Toulon. Match reports should be honest and biased.

I agree.....if this is your work CYril you should be applauded and I look forward to it very much each and every week.

If not, and it is someone else's that you have cut and paste, I do believe that Forum rules are that you should credit the source in your post?

Whichever, it is good to have your input!

 

[cyRil]

Cheers for the comments guys. Yes they are my words.

Unfortunately I have other things to do with my life and although I would like to watch every minute of the 7 league games every week, that kind of stretches me.

Considering the Toulon XV that was put out the result against Oyonnax was a big loss. Maybe I could have used 'trumped' instead, but then I'm not paid for these reports, just my interest and love of the game pushes me to write, so I'm not perfect all the time.

Maybe you could find someone kind enough to give me money for my time and effort so I wouldn't mind putting up with your bull**** whenever I use a word you disagree with.

 

[SelimNiai]

I agree.....if this is your work CYril you should be applauded and I look forward to it very much each and every week.

If not, and it is someone else's that you have cut and paste, I do believe that Forum rules are that you should credit the source in your post?

Whichever, it is good to have your input!

After watching all the matches Toulon TROUNCHED is a little over the top, there is no argument about the Oyonnax victory and the merit they deserve for never giving up but Toulon could have won the game just as easily, they did not. so your ***le gives little eveidence of someone who actually saw the match and a report from newspapers or internet clips looks more in evidence.
PS I am not and never have been a supporter of Toulon. Match reports should be honest and biased.

I can confirm this is original content done by someone who wants to do it rather than someone who is told to, quite frankly if you don't like the choice of verbiage used then feel free to take time yourself to write your own reports

Plus, watch out before you practically accuse someone of plagiarism

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I comeback and the first thing I read is that people are accusing cyRil of not writing his own material. Pretty farcical stuff that. Constructive criticism is all well and good but to say he hasn't written it is beyond a joke.

This is why TRF at times struggles to attract bloggers, because members accuse bloggers of not producing their own material. If you talk the talk then walk the walk and blog for the site.

Rant over.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think you guys are being harsh on Tony (I felt his comment was in bounds), and Tony is a valuable contributor to the forum who constantly adds much work to the Top 14 section, along with other sections.

Edit: That being said, I enjoyed the write up and am enjoying the higher activity on the Top 14 section this season...hopefully this incident can blow over...

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Sorry that doesn't give the right to a member to accuse a member of plagiarism, without any substantial evidence. I still stand by what I said and what's sad is that the article is now not being discussed rather a poor choice of words from a few.

Anyway great work cyRil. Keep up the good work.

 

[psychic duck]

I think you guys are being harsh on Tony (I felt his comment was in bounds), and Tony is a valuable contributor to the forum who constantly adds much work to the Top 14 section, along with other sections.

Agreed. Tony Manx essentially keeps the Top 14 section alive every week which is far more than a blog post just pops up once every blue moon. The regulars are the most valuable to a forum than anything else (with the exception of yoe91 and Conrad Smith who have been dragging standards down).

I thought Feicarsinn's and Olyy's blogs when they have written them have both been interesting. But there have been some naff ones as well and some seem to be precious over defending them. "Buck Mitchell" couldn't take being called out on his blog.

If someone had pointed that out on a regular post then nobody would mind, but when it's a blog they seem to get special treatment. A blog is to create debate and disagreements, if someone disagrees and put's their point constructively then it's up to others to defend their point. Tony Manx has hardly criticised that much anyway.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

Agreed. Tony Manx essentially keeps the Top 14 section alive every week which is far more than a blog post just pops up once every blue moon. The regulars are the most valuable to a forum than anything else (with the exception of yoe91 and Conrad Smith who have been dragging standards down).

I thought Feicarsinn's and Olyy's blogs when they have written them have both been interesting. But there have been some naff ones as well and some seem to be precious over defending them. "Buck Mitchell" couldn't take being called out on his blog.

If someone had pointed that out on a regular post then nobody would mind, but when it's a blog they seem to get special treatment. A blog is to create debate and disagreements, if someone disagrees and put's their point constructively then it's up to others to defend their point.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ..........

So what we are saying is ... accusing someone of something without any evidence to back up the claim is ok ye? Just checking, been away and didn't realise the goal post had moved.

 

[LittleGuy]

Sorry that doesn't give the right to a member to accuse a member of plagiarism, without any substantial evidence. I still stand by what I said and what's sad is that the article is now not being discussed rather a poor choice of words from a few.

Anyway great work cyRil. Keep up the good work.

I guess this is our difference of opinion than, I read Tony's comment as merely suggesting that if outside sources were used than references should be provided....that's for Tony to clarify with Cyril though.

 

[SelimNiai]

Agreed. Tony Manx essentially keeps the Top 14 section alive every week which is far more than a blog post just pops up once every blue moon. The regulars are the most valuable to a forum than anything else (with the exception of yoe91 and Conrad Smith who have been dragging standards down).

I thought Feicarsinn's and Olyy's blogs when they have written them have both been interesting. But there have been some naff ones as well and some seem to be precious over defending them. "Buck Mitchell" couldn't take being called out on his blog.

If someone had pointed that out on a regular post then nobody would mind, but when it's a blog they seem to get special treatment. A blog is to create debate and disagreements, if someone disagrees and put's their point constructively then it's up to others to defend their point. Tony Manx has hardly criticised that much anyway.

No he didn't critique what was written but what he hinted at was plagiarism, the fact that parts of what was written had been stolen that is what Rob, me and cyRil are objecting to.

 

[psychic duck]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ..........

So what we are saying is ... accusing someone of something without any evidence to back up the claim is ok ye? Just checking, been away and didn't realise the goal post had moved.

He said "if". He was just asking an innocent question rather than pointing a finger in an accusatory manner. It's really not a big deal and there's no need to be so sensitive about these blogs.

Also I remember you once saying I had to provide a source for a post with the list of transfers in one of my first posts and said it would be removed otherwise despite it being stuff I had contributed myself. So you yourself have done what you're chastising Tony for.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

He said "if". He was just asking an innocent question rather than pointing a finger in an accusatory manner. It's really not a big deal and there's no need to be so sensitive about these blogs.

No need for you to again jump in and produce the same drivel of 'sensitive' ... such a kop out comment Duck. Hey don't have a go at me sunshine for jumping in to back a mate up, something you are doing equally here. Basically what you are hinting at ... again, is that I can't back up my mate when something incorrectly is said. I just want to point out that cyRil posts his links for quotes when he produces blogs, something I have witnessed so he doesn't need to reference himself when he's written a blog.

Also I remember you once saying I had to provide a source for a post with the list of transfers in one of my first posts and said it would be removed otherwise despite it being stuff I had contributed myself. So you yourself have done what you're chastising Tony for.

Glad you brought that up, seeing as you were basically taking other people's content and taking credit for it. I did prove this to you at the time if you remember but I don't want to go into the debate, you can PM me however to continue the debate. But at the time I was correct ask you to provide the sources. Never did I accuse you at the time of plagiarism. How you forget this .

 

[SelimNiai]

A simple weekend round up is a freehand piece based on obvious fact and contains no opinion.

A list of transfers can contain conjecture, rumour, misinformation, and to the extreme, embargo's therefore its essential to provide info of where these "facts" came from, basically to cover ones a**e from anything that might be wrong wit them.

They can't be compared

 

[psychic duck]

No need for you to again jump in and produce the same drivel of 'sensitive' ... such a kop out comment Duck. Hey don't have a go at me sunshine for jumping in to back a mate up, something you are doing equally here. I just want to point out that cyRil posts his links for quotes when he produces blogs, something I have witnessed so he doesn't need to reference himself when he's written a blog.

You are being sensitive though. Tony even said he should be applauded, yet you are flying off the handle at the tiniest and slightest hint of what you perceive of criticism (which it hardly was to be honest). And it's previous blogs that you have been sensitive about as well not just this one.

It seems anything other than a pat on the back for these blogs saying "good write up" gets hounded on by the mods. If you say "good write up" for every blog (which they all haven't been) it loses it's value and becomes pointless anyway.

A simple weekend round up is a freehand piece based on obvious fact and contains no opinion.

A list of transfers can contain conjecture, rumour, misinformation, and to the extreme, embargo's therefore its essential to provide info of where these "facts" came from, basically to cover ones a**e from anything that might be wrong wit them.

They can't be compared

Which clubs give a **** about a list of transfers on the web? The forum would be very boring with just facts and no opinion.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

You are being sensitive though. Tony even said he should be applauded, yet you are flying off the handle at the tiniest and slightest hint of what you perceive of criticism (which it hardly was to be honest). And it's previous blogs that you have been sensitive about as well not just this one.

It seems anything other than a pat on the back for these blogs saying "good write up" gets hounded on by the mods. If you say "good write up" for every blog (which they all haven't been) it loses it's value and becomes pointless anyway.

Duck come on son, thought better of you. Still kopping out here. Let's be honest. As I said, he doesn't have the evidence to even suggest that cyRil copied someone else is material. I'm not criticising what he then says around it. It's the fact the comment made has no proof to it. Simple.

If you want me to get 'sensitive' I can. I will and I promise you this, my toys will come flying out of the pram. Then and only then you can say I have been 'sensitive'.

Looking forward to the next set of petty comments Duck.

Oh and what amuses me. I manage to say and rightfully say that accusation of plagiarism is not acceptable but constructive criticism is. Did you miss this Duck because you have waded in without reading what I initially posted. Hey ho.

 

[psychic duck]

Duck come on son, thought better of you. Still kopping out here. Let's be honest. As I said, he doesn't have the evidence to even suggest that cyRil copied someone else is material.

I don't know why you're getting in such as tizzy over this. It was actually a rather friendly post by Tony Manx. So what about evidence? He's just asking. The answer it's not copy and pasted so just say so and then move on. Simples.

If you want me to get 'sensitive' I can. I will and I promise you this, my toys will come flying out of the pram. Then and only then you can say I have been 'sensitive'.

There's still some left?

Glad you brought that up, seeing as you were basically taking other people's content and taking credit for it. I did prove this to you at the time if you remember but I don't want to go into the debate, you can PM me however to continue the debate. But at the time I was correct ask you to provide the sources. Never did I accuse you at the time of plagiarism. How you forget this .

No I wasn't. I was just humbly collecting the transfers and putting them on a list. Got to laugh at "taking other people's content taking the credit" as well, I wrote that all myself.

 

[LittleGuy]

I really can't add anything but just suggest that we hear from Tony( and Gaston though that post is fairly clear cut) before reaching to conclusions. This might be a wording issue (not everyone of our posters uses English as a first language), it would be truly out of character from the posts that Tony has posted on here for over two years for him to be so agressive against a fellow poster just to take a dig....but I honestly have no idea of what his intentions are since I am incapable of reading minds...especially through text, which is why I think it's for him and Cyril to deal with privately....

These will be my last thoughts on this matter.

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I'm going to leave it there good boy because we know being all mighty and being stuck up in the clouds must be tough to come down and talk some relative sense. I can't comment on things because I'm a staff member and therefore have a bias and sensitive opinion. For that I am truly sorry and really feel sorry for you.

* Oh and cyRil your blog post was terrible. Didn't agree with anything you posted. *



* Please Note - Sarcasm