David Skrela scored two drop-goals for Toulouse
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News: Modest Castres in driving seat

Matches: Toulouse 22 - 11 Perpignan

Tournaments/Tours: French Top 14

Teams: France | Perpignan | Toulouse

A late interception try from mercurial fullback Clement Poitrenaud helped Toulouse to a vital 22-11 victory over reigning champions Perpignan at the Stade Ernest Wallon, keeping them firmly in the hunt for top honours at the end of the season.

Poitrenaud struck with the game finely poised at 12-11 heading into the final 10 minutes, heaping further misery on Perpignan following their humbling Heineken cup defeat to Munster at the Stade Aime Giral.

With their own European ambitions alive and well, Toulouse moved into contention at the business end of the table on the domestic stage thanks in no small part to the boots of halfbacks Freddie Michalak and David Skrela, who combined for a 17-point haul.

Toulouse again called on Michalak at scrum-half after a snappy performance against the Cardiff Blues, with Byron Kelleher and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde still on the treatment table and not expected to return until their league meeting with Bayonne. Perpignan welcomed back flanker Jean-Pierre Perez, who missed their defeat to Munster through injury, on the bench.

Skrela opened the scoring with a drop-goal on nine minutes before Michalak's first penalty sailed between the uprights. Perpignan's South African flanker Gerrie Britz knocked the wind out of the home crowd with the only try of the first-half on 17 minutes, but the home side secured a narrow lead at the break thanks to Michalak's second penalty. Perpignan had been unable to convert a great deal of pressure into dominance on the scoreboard, with the home defence rigid against their attack.

After the break, Toulouse centre Florian Fritz watched as a long-range penalty fell short following a swinging arm from Gregory le Corvec, and Perpignan remained in striking distance as the respective defences continued to cancel each other out.

Michalak's third penalty momentarily calmed the home side's nerves heading into the final quarter but Perpigan fullback Jerome Porical's second successful effort from the tee made it a one-point game heading into the last 10 minutes.

Poitrenaud struck the crucial blow with time running out after a misjudged offload from lock Rimas Alvarez Kairelis fell invitingly into his arms and he sprinted clear to score under the posts. Skrela capped a fine eveing for Les Toulousains with a final drop-goal, sending Peprignan home ruing missed opportunities.