Oyonnax stun European champions Toulon

Oyonnax pulled off another surprise result in their maiden Top 14 season on Saturday as they beat European champions Toulon 25-22. Oyonnax, who are based far from the heartland of French club rugby in the east of France, had suffered their first home defeat in almost two years last weekend to Stade Francais. However, roared on by their passionate support they held their own against Toulon and grabbed victory three minutes from time through a drop goal by their Argentine kicker Benjamin Urdallipeta to add the scalp of Toulon to those of Clermont and defending Top 14 champions Castres this season. Oyonnax made a terrific start scoring a try inside the first five minutes through fullback and captain Florian Denos. However, it came at a cost as Denos had to go off immediately having dislocated his right shoulder and was replaced by former Toulon player, South African Conrad Barnard. Oyonnax and Toulon exhanged penalties throughout the half -- Urdallipeta kicking two to add to his conversion and Jonny Wilkinson four -- before the visitors took the lead through a try of their own. English fullback Delon Armitage touched down in the corner after a long uninterrupted period of Toulon pressure that swung from one side of the pitch to the other. Wilkinson converted while the hosts suffered another injury blow as Urdallipeta had to be taken off after his head connected with powerful centre Mathieu Bastareaud's right knee when he was trying to bring him down. Oyonnax, though, had the last laugh of an entertaining first-half when Barnard slotted over a rather wobbly looking drop kick from distance to leave them just three points adrift (16-19) at the break. However, the half-time pause gave the Oyonnax medical staff enough time to get Urdallipeta's head cleared and the 27-year-old Puma international stroked over two penalties to give Oyonnax the lead by the hour mark. Wilkinson, though, levelled the game with another penalty but the former England great blotted his copybook seven minutes from time by sending his 49-metre effort just wide of the posts. The impressive Urdallipeta pulled off a drop goal of the highest quality three minutes from time -- with the hosts down a man -- while Wilkinson tried to reply with one of his own but this too went wide of the posts. On Friday Stade Francais' suprisingly strong start to the season continued as they moved top with a 18-11 win at home to Montpellier. Stade scored two tries, one in each half, to claim a sixth win in eight games and hold a three-point lead over Toulon in second place and four over Montpellier in third. Later on Saturday Toulouse could go joint top if they get a bonus point win over Perpignan, although their away form has been a concern this season. Source: AFP