Scorpions 0-64 Toulouse
Sunday April 10, Caerphilly
The full-time players of Toulouse put the semi-professionals of South Wales Scorpions to the sword in Caerphilly on Sunday as the title favourites won 64-0.
Toulouse took the lead on three minutes when Kuni Minga scored in the corner. Mark Khierallah missed the conversion.
The second came a few minutes later when Arthur Gonzalez-Trique sold an outstanding dummy before skirting past a couple of Scorpions defenders to ground. Khierallah added the extras.
Toulouse could have got a third, save for Jordan Sheridan’s last ditch tackle, but the Scorpions conceded a goal-line drop-out. From the next set, Jonathan Ford scored in the corner and Khierallah landed the kick.
Scorpions looked to have a try back on 17 minutes but Christiaan Roets was pushed over into touch when grounding the ball.
Toulouse recovered and worked their way back upfield with Gavin Garguerite running in their fourth try. Khierallah converted well to make the score 22-0 after 20 minutes.
From the next set after kick-off, Bastien Canet ran through for their fifth and Khierallah goaled well.
When both sides were temporarily down to 12-men following a clash of wingers, Toulouse pulled off a good ball retention move and Tony Maurel grounded in the corner. Khierallah missed the kick.
French international Kane Bentley scored Toulouse’s first of the second half 11 minutes in and Khierallah duly converted.
Toulouse scored again from their next set as Gonzalez-Trique went over for his second. Khierallah’s conversion was taken by the wind leaving the score at 42-0.
The full-time French side’s fitness was now showing. Straight from kick-off, Minga also notched his second. Khierallah’s kick failed to reach the posts. 46-0.
Off-side saved Scorpions conceding another straight away but Minga did go over for his hat-trick on 68 minutes with Khierallah converting, before adding the next try himself and again the extras.
Down to 12-men for the last five minutes after Luke Nelmes was sinbinned for fighting, and Minga completed proceedings by running in for his fourth try which Khierallah goaled.
• Match report and photography by Ian Golden of South Wales Scorpions.