CS Bourgoin-Jallieu vs Ol. Marcquois

Marcq-en-Barœul struck first through fly-half Maxime Javaux, who landed a penalty in the 5th minute to put the visitors 3-0 ahead. Bourgoin responded swiftly: No.8 Jonah Mau'u powered over for the opening try in the 9th minute, and full-back Goulwen Gueho added a penalty in the 16th to stretch the lead to 8-3.

The home side's dominance in the first 40 minutes was capped by a try from winger Mathis Terrasson in the 25th minute, converted by Gueho, sending Bourgoin into the break 15-3 ahead with a 12-point cushion built on territory and set-piece control.

The second half flipped the script. Marcq's Patrick Fleming Dewhirst — the away side's most dangerous attacking threat — dotted down in the 45th minute. Javaux converted, cutting the deficit to 15-10 and handing the visitors real momentum.

Bourgoin steadied themselves when prop Louis Ponton crashed over in the 50th minute (20-10), but Marcq kept punching. Centre Joseph Reynaud crossed in the 59th minute, Javaux converted again, and the scoreboard read 20-17 with 20 minutes to play.

Bourgoin lock Saba Pesvianidze saw yellow in the 61st minute, leaving the home side a man down during a tense passage. But the Ciel et Grenat absorbed the pressure and struck a decisive blow through centre Aviata Silago in the 71st minute, restoring the eight-point lead at 25-17.

Dewhirst slotted a 79th-minute penalty to claim a losing bonus point for Marcq (25-20), but Bourgoin held on through the final phases to seal the victory.

Silago's 71st-minute try. With Marcq within striking distance (20-17) and Bourgoin down to 14 men after Pesvianidze's yellow, the centre found space out wide to score the try that ultimately proved the difference. It was the moment Bourgoin showed the composure that had deserted them for much of the second half.

• Jonah Mau'u (Bourgoin) — The No.8 opened the scoring with a powerful 9th-minute try and was a constant physical presence in the carry and at the breakdown.
• Patrick Fleming Dewhirst (Marcq) — The best player on the pitch in the second half. Scored a try, added a late penalty, and finished as the match's top scorer with 8 points (1 try, 1 penalty).
• Goulwen Gueho (Bourgoin) — Reliable off the tee with one conversion and one penalty, and solid under the high ball from full-back.
• Maxime Javaux (Marcq) — Kicked two conversions and a penalty (7 points total), orchestrating Marcq's second-half comeback from fly-half.

Player of the match: Patrick Fleming Dewhirst (Ol. Marcquois) — 8 points, a try, and the catalyst for Marcq's fightback.

Bourgoin scored four tries to Marcq's two, a 2:1 ratio that ultimately told the story of the match. The home side's three first-half scores (two tries, one penalty) built a 15-3 lead at the break that proved just enough. Marcq matched them 17-10 in the second half and edged the territorial battle after the interval, but the 12-point half-time deficit was too much to fully overcome.

The scoreline of 25-20 — with Bourgoin registering four tries but only one conversion — suggests the home side left points on the field through the tee. Marcq, by contrast, converted both of their tries and added two penalties, making their scoring more efficient but lacking the try count to overturn the deficit.

Bourgoin's one yellow card (Pesvianidze, 61') could have been more costly; Marcq scored only three points — a Javaux penalty — during the sin-bin period.

Bourgoin sit 6th in the early Nationale table on 4 points, alongside Massy with identical records. Marcq take a defensive bonus point (1 point) into 9th place, one of three sides to lose by a single score on opening weekend.

The result extends Bourgoin's head-to-head dominance: they have now won three of four meetings since 2024. The reverse fixture is scheduled for 12 December 2026.

Next up:

• Bourgoin travel to Massy on Friday 28 August (19:30 local)
• Marcq host Suresnes on Friday 28 August (20:00 local)

A classic opening-day contest: Bourgoin raced clear in the first half, Marcq fought back in the second, and the margin stayed tight until the final whistle. The four tries earn Bourgoin a valuable bonus-point start to the season, while Marcq will take heart from a second-half display that suggests they can compete in Nationale this season. Both sides will feel there is significant room for improvement.