Bok flyer helps La Rochelle hammer Bayonne
TOP 14 REPORT: La Rochelle ran out clear winners over Bayonne in Top 14 action on Friday, picking up a bonus point in a 36-19 mauling of the Basque side.
Three first-half tries from France centre Geoffrey Doumayrou, his Fijian midfield partner centre Levani Botia and South African wing Dillyn Leyds saw La Rochelle hold a comfortable 29-16 half-time lead.
France flyhalf Jules Plisson hit four first-half penalties and converted two tries for La Rochelle, as Bayonne responded in an ill-disciplined first 40 with three Gaetan Germain penalties and a conversion of a try through wing Aymeric Luc.
Gaetan added a fourth penalty early in the second-half, but a try by La Rochelle’s France flank – and skipper for the match – Gregory Alldritt in the 50th minute sealed the win, with the visitors dominant across the park.
It was a first away victory for Jono Gibbes’ La Rochelle in 10 months as the Top 14 relaunches after a coronavirus-hit season.
“We were coming out of four weeks without a match,” said La Rochelle forwards coach Gregory Patat.
“We had to get back on track. We wanted to recalibrate and we really did a great performance tonight, both in attack and defence… they ended up giving in.”
Racing 92, the European Champions Cup finalists, take on Toulouse in Saturday’s stand-out game.
Elsewhere, Agen host Stade Francais and Montpellier make the tricky trip to Toulon.
Bordeaux-Begles v Clermont and Castres v Brive have both been postponed after Covid-19 cases.
