Toulon battle past Castres
A controversial penalty try awarded by English referee Andrew Small helped Toulon to an untidy 22-15 win over Castres.
Last Updated: 01/10/10 9:43pm
A controversial penalty try awarded by English referee Andrew Small helped Toulon to an untidy 22-15 win over Castres.
Jonny Wilkinson kicked the hosts into a 12-3 lead by the half-hour mark with three penalties and a trademark drop-goal.
Castres full-back Romain Teulet added his second penalty from long range to reduce the gap to six points as neither team could find their rhythm in a scrappy opening half.
The visitors were reduced to fourteen men just before half-time when flank Steve Malonga saw yellow for taking Wilkinson out with a late shoulder charge.
Toulon used their extra man in the scrum to put apply the pressure at the set piece from 5m.
Toulon scrum-half Pierre Mignon was stopped just short of scoring but captain Joe van Niekerk chose another scrum from the ensuing penalty. Referee Small awarded a penalty try as the scrum wheeled around.
It was a very harsh call but the locals weren't complaining as Wilkinson added the extras to give RCT a 19-6 lead at the break.
Seremaia Baï kept Castres in the game with penalty soon after the restart before Teulet and Wilkinson exchanges shots at goal to leave Toulon 22-12 ahead.
Teulet brought the visitors back with striking distance at 22- 5 going into the final quarter, but they were unable to break down the home defence.
