RYAN SMITH COMNES OFF BENCH IN MONTAUBAN'S t 14 LOSS TO PERPIGNAN

4th February 2008                      From Montauban-Tarn-et Garonne website

In more than a century of playing matches, Montauban have only ever won two victories away against Perpignan, in 1909 and 2006. Ryan Smith came off the bench at 74 minutes, but the match was already lost, by 23 -- 3. The half time score was 10 - 3, with MTG's points coming from a Fauque drop goal at 11 minutes.    

From the first yellow card awarded against MTG's Benjamin Sa, there were consequences before the end of the half. The Green and Blacks made numerous handling errors which stopped them from properly testing a Catalan side which has a desperate need to score some points.

The last penalty try awarded to Perpignan wiped out the last hope of a good result. Perpignan scored two tries, the first by Pulu at 20 minutes, then a penalty try at 63 minutes. South African full back Percy Montgomery also made three penalties. This loss is the first time this season that Montauban's players left a stadium without any points in the championship table.

Standings after Round 8

1. Toulouse 34
2. Clermont 27
3. Paris 25
4. Biarritz 23
5. Montauban 20
6. Bayonne 20
7. Montpellier 20
8. Brive 17
9. Perpignan 16
10. Bourgoin 16
11. Castres 13
12. Albi 13
13. Dax 12
14. Auch 6