The Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) put on a stellar performance on Saturday night, clinching a 13-3 victory against Castres Olympique, who had previously been undefeated at home this season in the Top 14. What made this win truly extraordinary was UBB's ability to triumph over adversity, as they competed without several key players sidelined by injuries and national team commitments.
Demonstrations of unity and solidarity were evident throughout the match, with UBB showing remarkable cohesion. Captain Mahamadou Diaby reflected on the team's determination, stating, "Throughout the week, we were connected, knowing we weren't stepping onto the field as sacrificial lambs." This mindset exemplified UBB's growth and the cultivation of a winning mentality as they continue to improve their performances.
A pivotal element of UBB's success was their dominance in the set pieces, particularly during lineouts, putting immense pressure on the Castres side. Diaby commented on their improvement, highlighting their recent work on set-piece play: "For three weeks now, we have been working on improving our set pieces, and we have begun to build something solid." Such efforts were not only reflected on the score but also indicated UBB's aspirations for the rest of the season.
UBB's approach to the match was characterized by the mentality of the underdog; they entered the encounter as outsiders. "I told the guys this week to savor matches like this. Nobody expected us to win, and these are the easiest matches to win when you're perceived as the underdog," Diaby noted. That underdog spirit allowed them to approach the game without the weight of expectation, which added to their confidence.
Inside the dressing room, the atmosphere exploded with celebratory enthusiasm as the team connected via FaceTime with teammate Maxime Lucu, who was exuberantly celebrating from afar, underscoring just how united the squad remains.
Moving forward, UBB aims to build on this achievement. Head Coach Christophe Urios will seek to capture these winning ways, confirming their strong position after this impressive performance against direct competitors for the Top 6 slots. The next challenge will be the home match against Lyon at Chaban-Delmas, where UBB seeks to solidify their lead.
Yoram Moefana, who scored the only try of the match—a moment of sheer athleticism where he capitalized on a misplayed ball—expressed satisfaction with the victory. Despite performing at his best, he candidly remarked, "It's nice to finally score my first try of the season. I felt I should have scored, but phone calls to Tevita to make sure of the play made me confident!" His ability to score under pressure signals UBB's depth and quality across the squad.
Reflecting on the wider impact of this match, Moefana noted, "The fact we managed to defeat Castres, and with such resilience from players who stepped up, shows our squad has strength and readiness, proving others wrong. We are all committed to supporting each other." This sentiment is shared throughout the team, and the coach will be eager to see this level of performance sustained.
The match proved more than just points on the board for UBB—it signified their growth, fortitude, and how far they've come since their heartbreaking defeat to Toulouse in last season's finals. There's plenty to look forward to as UBB gears up not only to maintain their lead but also to potentially dominate as one of the exciting contenders for the Top 14 finals. A strong pursuit of excellence is on the horizon for this team, which now confidently holds the top spot heading toward 2025.
