FT in what was most certainly a tale of two halves. Stade dominated the first half tearing into a 17-6 lead at half time with 3 trys. Brive at half tie were rejuvenated by a couple of substitutions and strong talking too. They dominated up front in the second half and held the lions share of possession. Their 73rd minute try was an ample reward for the effort of their pack. Stade, despite being reduced to 14, managed to hold out for the last 7 minutes and hold off the visitors by 3. Thanks for following UR today, till next time.
3 minutes remain and Germain has but the visitors within 3!
Finally the Brive maul rumbles over for the 5 pointer. Conversion to come.
Stade under some real pressure. Brive have been awarded to successive penalties in the Stade 22 and have chosen the corner on both occasions. Just 5m out now from the home sides line.
The Brive bench has made a strong impact on the game and they look to be gathering momentum. That said they are still struggling with the final pass.
Whatever was said at HT seems to have worked for Brive. The ship has been settled and Germain continues to kick well reducing the deficit to 8.
HT and we come to the close to what has been a fairly one sided affair. Brive have struggled to gain much momentum mainly through their own unforced errors. Stade have looked sharp having scored 3 trys and only for the poor kicking performance of Plisson they could be further ahead. Germain is keeping his side in the game with some excellent kicking, although that will unlikely be enough to come out on top overall.
There may have been a slight hint of a forward pass the referee missed but none the less the ball is put through the hands and Bosman crosses for the 3rd try. Dupuy relieves Plisson from the kicking duties.
Both sides are back to 15 men. During the sinbinning Stade came out on top with an excellent forwards try. Raphael Lakafia dotted down.
Two early yellow cards. One for either side for repeated infringement at the scrum.