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Happier at home, Bordeaux hammer Lyon in Top 14 / Photo: © AFP
Happier at home, Bordeaux hammer Lyon in Top 14
Bordeaux Begles worked an embarrassing Top 14 loss out of their system Saturday as they pulverised Lyon, who started the fourth round in second place, 51-28.
Last week, Bordeaux, the reigning European champions visited Perpignan, who barely escaped relegation last season, and lost by 13 points for their second loss in two away matches this season.
Meanwhile Lyon, who had started the campaign, as they did last season, with three wins, led at half time last Saturday at Stade Francais before conceding four second-half tries.
The collapse continued in Bordeaux as the visitors conceded six tries before half time.
Happier at home, where they had won their first two matches by a combined 122 points, the hosts took the lead after three minutes when centre Nicolas Depoortere bounced over the line by the corner flag.
Cameron Woki and Salesi Rayasi also touched down in the first 20 minutes before star winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored after being being rested for two rounds.
Jiuta Wainiqolo replied for Lyon but Tom Willis and Lasha Pkhakadze provided a sharp response taking the hosts to six tries and a 39-7 lead at half time.
After Woki, a huge flanker, found an enormous hole as he opened the second half by strolling in for his second try, Bordeaux started to empty their bench.
Hugo Reus added a home try and, despite missing four conversions, finished with 16 points.
"On the whole we played a very pretty match," said hooker and birthday boy Maxime Lamothe told Canal Plus. "We leaked too many points in the second half."
Tries from Thomas Moukoro, Thibaut Regard and Liam Allen, in the final minute, gave Lyon some late consolation.
The win in the opening game of the fifth round lifted Bordeaux, who have ruled Europe for the last two seasons, to second behind Toulouse, who have dominated in France for the last four seasons.
Lyon, who after last season's hot start finished the season 11th in the table, slid to third.
"The first half was worrying, we were a bit deluded strategically and overpowered in the rucks and when that happens against a team as talented as Bordeaux, you pay in cash," said Lyon back-up scrum half Charlie Cassang.
Pau, who visit last-placed Vannes, and Bayonne, who host Stade Francais could both climb to second in the afternoon games.
Leaders Toulouse visit struggling Castres in Saturday's evening game.
V.Staniszewski--GL
