Pace on the wing

By Jason Harris
October 25 2008

Domestic action returned in France and Italy with two teams flying high in their respective divisions, and the third rooted firmtly to the bottom. Thiings improved for Viadana, continued in great fashion for Bayonne, but it looks like it will be a long season at Stade Montois....

On Friday night Mont de Marsan entertained Biarritz at Stade Guy Boniface and were blown away by their Basque neighbours 33-6, leaving Stade Montois bottom of top 14.

The Bees' only points came from a drop goal and a penalty from Benat Arrayet while at the other end they conceded three tries and 18 points from the boot of Dimitri Yachvili.

And it won't get any easier for Stade Montois in the next round as they are at home to third placed Perpignan in Round 9.

Bayonne continue their good start with their sixth win in eight games to consolidate their fourth place in the Top 14 table as they saw off Brive 14-9 at Stade Jean Dauger.

AB's one try came from open side Guillaume Bernard and the rest of the points came from three Manny Edmunds penalties. For Brive, Andy Goode kicked all their points with his last attempt six minutes from time securing a losing bonus point for his team.

Bayonne's next match is the BIG one; the short trip up the road to Biarritz who lie currently just one place behind their nearest and dearest in the ladder.

In Italy the impressive Viadana run continued as they beat another of Saracens past Italian opposition, Futura Park Roma 27-15.

Wing Samuele Pace, who came on as a replacement in Sarries 37-12 win at the Zaffanella, scored two tries for the Leones and a third came from Scottish scrum half Ross Curle.

Charlie Hore, the Kiwi outside half, converted all three and added a couple of penalties for a personal tally of 12 points, just as it was against Sarries in his previous outing.

Viadana are now up to second in the league table on 19 points from their five games, two behind leaders Benetton Treviso and four ahead of third placed Overmach Parma who lost another home game this week, 30-20 against Viadana's next opponents Rovigo.