SOUTH WALES SCORPIONS 0 TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE XIII 64

The full-time players of Toulouse put the semi-professionals of South Wales Scorpions to the sword in Caerphilly on Sunday as the title favourites won 64-0.

 

In a match up that would be equivalent to Toulouse’s rugby union side being in the same league as Bedwas, Scorpions didn’t play badly, they just weren’t allowed to get the ball that much and when they did and get close to the line, the Toulouse defence was prepared, and solid.

 

Toulouse took the lead on three minutes when Kuni Minga scored in the corner. Mark Khierallah missed the conversion.

 

The second came three minutes later when Arthur Gonzalez-Trique sold an outstanding dummy before skirting past a couple of Scorpions defenders to ground. Khierallah added the extras.

 

They could have got a third save for Jordan Sheridan’s last ditch tackle but the Scorpions conceded a goal-line drop-out. From the next set, Jonathan Ford scored in the corner and Khierallah landed the kick.

 

Scorpions looked to have a try back on 17 minutes but Christiaan Roets was pushed over into touch when grounding the ball.

 

Toulouse recovered and worked their way back upfield with Gavin Garguerite running in their fourth try. Khierallah converted well to make the score 22-0 on 22 minutes.

 

From the next set after kick-off, Bastien Canet ran through for their fifth and Khierallah goaled well.

 

When both sides were temporarily down to 12-men following a clash of wingers, Toulouse pulled off a good ball retention move and Tony Maurel grounded in the corner. Khierallah missed the kick.

 

French international Kane Bentley scored Toulouse’s first of the second half 11 minutes in and Khierallah duly converted.

 

Scorpions were again close to the line as Luke Nelmes’ kick on the final tackle was taken by the wind into touch with two of his team-mates close to receiving.

 

Toulouse again recovered and from their next set, Gonzalez-Trique went over for his second. Khierallah conversion was taken by the wind leaving the score at 42-0.

 

The full-time French side’s fitness was now showing. Straight from kick-off, Minga also notched his second. Khierallah’s kick failed to reach the posts. 46-0.

 

Off-side saved Scorpions conceding another straight away but Minga did go over for his hat-trick on 68 minutes with Khierallah converting before adding the next try himself and again the extras.

 

Down to 12-men for the last five minutes after Luke Nelmes was sinbinned for fighting, and Minga completed proceedings by running in for his fourth try which Khierallah goaled.

 

Scorpions now take on Hemel Stags next Sunday (17^th) who this week were defeated 60-6 at home to League 1’s second favourites York City Knights.

 

SCORPIONS

28 Nick Rawsthorne

4 Yannic Parker

22 Christiaan Roets

15 Jordan Sheridan

5 Dai Evans

30 Billy Gaylor

7 Paul Emanuelli

8 Chris Davies

9 Connor Farrer

10 Izaak Duffy

29 Aiden Hema

3 Kyle Scrivens

13 Chris Vitalini

Subs:

17 Mike Connor

23 Barrie Phillips

24 Zak Williams

26 Luke Nelmes

 

Sin-bin: Nelmes (75, fighting)

 

TOULOUSE

1 Mark Khierallah

2 Tony Maurel

21 Gavin Garguerite

4 Gregory White

5 Kuni Minga

6 Jonathan Ford

7 Arthur Gonzalez-Trique

8 Clement Boyer

14 Mourad Kriouache

16 Bastien Canet

11 Sebastien Planas

12 Rhys Curran

13 Andrew Bentley

Subs:

9 Kane Bentley

15 Maxime Puech

18 Tyla Hepi

17 Anthony Marion

 

TRIES: Minga (3, 59, 67, 79),  Gonzalez-Trique (7, 57), Ford (11), Garguerite (21), Canet (24), Maurel (31), K.Bentley (51), Khierallah (69)

GOALS: Khierallah 8/12

 

Referee: Warren Turley

Half-time: 0-32

Attendance: 241

 

 

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