Top 14 - Round 4 Review
Toulouse and Toulon set the pace
Scrum.com
September 2, 2009

Toulouse and Toulon claimed a share of the Top 14 lead after notching victories in the latest round of action.

Toulon maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a narrow 26-21 victory over fellow high-fliers Clermont Auvergne at Stade Mayol.

Toulon winger Sinoti Sinoti crossed for the only try of the opening period but the combined kicking exploits of Clermont's Seremaia Bai and Anthony Floch saw the visitors claim a narrow half-time lead. The hosts rallied after the break with another try from Clement Marienval and three penalties from fly-half Sebastien Fauque - a second half replacement for Jonny Wilkinson - helped propel Toulon to victory and the top of the league.

Toulouse bounced back from their defeat at the hands of Perpignan last weekend with a 21-17 win at home to Bayonne that saw them claim top spot on points difference.

Tries from Filimoni Bolavucu and Lionel Mazars put the visitors in charge at Stade Ernest Wallon with the boot of Jean-Baptiste Elissalde keeping the home side in touch. But a penalty try just short of the hour of mark and another from Shaun Sowerby lifted Toulouse past their rivals.

Perpignan kept pace with the leaders thanks to a 21-9 victory over Brive. Click here for the report from our Game of the Round.

Stade Francais' faltering start to the season continued with a 40-35 home defeat at the hands of Montauban. The Parisians weathered an early yellow card for Djibril Camara to build an 18-17 half-time lead thanks largely to the boot of scrum-half Noel Oelschig. But his efforts were eclipsed by Montauban fly-half Cédric Rosalen who finished with a personal tally of 25 points.

Elsewhere, Bourgoin put their off-field woes behind them with a 17-13 victory over Racing Metro. A first half penalty try gave Bourgoin a narrow advantage with Racing forced into a defensive effort following yellow cards for Sefulu Gaugau and Simon Raiwalui.

A second half score from Albert Vulivuli edged Bourgoin ahead but back came Racing with a try for Mathieu Loree. Benjamin Boyet gave the home side some breathing space with a penalty and despite a yellow card for Thomas Genevois they held on for the win.

In the night's other game, Montpellier notched a 22-18 victory over Biarritz. The visitors outscored Montpellier two tries to one with scores from Benoit August and Nicolas Brusque but 12 first half points from the boot of Beneoit Paillaugue proved telling for the hosts.

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