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European Challenge Cup: Stade Français shocked in Siberia
By
Harry West
Krasny Yar sprung a huge surprise on the opening weekend of the European Challenge Cup season, claiming a bonus-point victory over defending champions Stade Français in Siberia.
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No side has successfully retained this trophy, and Stade’s quest to be the first got off to a disappointing start as they went down 34-29 on Saturday.
The clash started positively enough for Stade, who went ahead early on through Julien Arias’ try down the right. Azamat Bitiev was the man to score Krasny Yar’s first European points with a score from a line-out drive, but Stade were soon 12-5 ahead as Tony Ensor went over.
Seemingly stung into action, the hosts crossed the whitewash three times in a 13-minute spell, Victor Gresev stretching over before Sione Fukofuka and Andrei Mahu breached Stade’s defences.
The visitors reduced the arrears to 24-17 at the break as Terry Bouhraoua raced over and their cause was aided early in the second period as Krasny Yar’s Kirill Golosnitskiy saw yellow for a deliberate knock-on.
Stade capitalised on their numerical advantage, Arias going over for his second to level matters, but Gresev matched the former France international in doubling his tally with 13 minutes to play.
Lasha Malaguradze converted that score and then kicked a penalty, meaning Karim Qadiri’s try was only good enough to secure a losing bonus point for Stade, while Krasny Yar were left to celebrate a famous victory.
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#ERChallenegeCup: Analysis of @Yar_rugby @ERChallengeCup debut… pic.twitter.com/v2U7fJx8Oo
— Russian Rugby (@russiarugby) October 14, 2017
Elsewehere in Pool 4, Edinburgh joined Krasny Yar on five points with a 37-14 win at London Irish.
There was a first-half hat-trick for hooker Joe Taufete’e in Worcester Warriors’ 30-20 win over Brive, while the other match in Pool 5 saw Connacht thrash Oyonnax 43-15.
IT'S A HAT-TRICK FOR THE BIG GUY! 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/G5DeHtSzt9
— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) October 14, 2017
In Pool 1, Newcastle Falcons overcame the Dragons 32-27, both sides earning bonus points.
