Leading try scorer Maqala takes Bayonne past Vannes in Top 14 / Photo: © AFP
Leading try scorer Maqala takes Bayonne past Vannes in Top 14
Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala moved clear as the French Top 14's leading try scorer on Saturday crossing in his side's 27-21 win at Vannes.
Fiji's Maqala claimed his ninth league try of the season, one more than Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud, as his Basque outfit moved up to fourth in the table.
The 24-year-old was joined on the scoresheet with tries from hooker Lucas Martin, Argentina back-rower Rodrigo Bruni as well as 12 points from the boot by fly-half Joris Segonds.
Vannes remain bottom of the standings after their ninth loss in 12 games of their maiden campaign in the top-flight.
Elsewhere, former England coach Stuart Lancaster remains under pressure as Racing 92 director of rugby after the Parisians lost 21-17 at Montpellier in their fourth defeat in five games across all competitions.
Former England No 8 Billy Vunipola claimed his first try for Montpellier, who jump above Lancaster's side to eighth.
Toulon are up to third thanks to a 56-26 hammering of Pau as France winger Gabin Villiere claimed a double.
Later, second-place Bordeaux-Begles head to Castres with ex-Ireland fly-half Joey Carbery standing in for the injured Matthieu Jalibert, who is out until mid-January with a thigh injury.
On Sunday, record 23-time champions and league leaders Toulouse face Lyon without their Olympic seven gold medallist Antoine Dupont as the scrum-half is rested following two weeks of Champions Cup action.
(M.Dylatov--DTZ)
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