Pool 1
Enisei-STM 17 – 57 Bordeaux-Begles
Bordeaux got through a potentially difficult trip to Siberia in comfortable fashion. The away side scored the first of their 8-tries in the 4th minute, Alexandre Roumat touching down. Further tries from Kovekalou, Cazeaux, and Dubié secured the bonus point before half time. Winger Jurijs Baranovs got one back for the hosts before the break.
Matthieu Jalibert kicked 11 points and would get a try of his own just after half time. Hooker Stanislav Selskii replied moments later with a 2nd for Enisei, and their final score would be a drop goal from fullback Ramil Gaisin. Bordeaux would add three more converted tries in the last 10 minutes, a 2nd from Dubié, and one each for Lesgourgues and Kamikamica.
Enisei had won four of their last 5 home Challenge Cup games, but it was a routine win for Bordeaux. It wasn’t all good for the away side as they lost full back Darly Donvo, who dislocated his ankle.
Newcastle Falcons 32 – 27 Dragons
Who would win in a fight, a falcon or a dragon? In this case, with home advantage the falcons got a bonus point victory. Newcastle took an early lead after a pick-and-go from Rob Vickers, converted by Toby Flood. Flood and Angus O’Brien exchanged penalties before Adam Radwan touched down to give Newcastle a 15 – 6 lead at the break.
The Dragons hit back immediately after the break with replacement Rynard Landman getting over the line, Ashton Hewitt added another to put them in front. The sides would exchange tries, with Newcastle edging in front, a late penalty from Toby Flood sealed the bonus point win for Newcastle.
Bordeaux-Begles and Newcastle Falcons top the table with 5 points each, Dragons are in 3rd with 1, Enisei-STM are bottom without any points.
Get Post To Post on Facebook and Twitter: @PostToPostSport
Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
*****
Want to see your own rugby opinions on the web?
Click "Write for us" in the sidebar to find out how.
