Nearly an hour of mediocre play before, finally, waking up.
Stade Français was late to kick off its afternoon on the Oyonnax pitch.
Led 16-3 by efficient promotions in their den of Charles-Mathon, the Parisians turned the tide to win 23-19 and take the lead in the championship.
They benefit from the “big slap” received by Racing 92 earlier in the afternoon in Perpignan (26-5).
Toulon, Toulouse and Bordeaux can still reach Paris at the end of this 14th day.
But it was hard for Paris, who hoped to build on the great victory acquired last week in Bordeaux (30-26).
Lacking ideas, Laurent Labit's men have long been dominated by diligent Oyomen, sure of their "fundamentals", in the scrum or on the sidelines.
Rewarded by a try from center Théo Millet (27th) and kicks from Argentine fly-half Hugo Miotti (14 points), the locals logically took the lead after 55 minutes of play.
The only crazy Parisian brown was for Joris Segonds.
The future Aviron Bayonnais player played with his foot for a good try concluded by Julien Delbouis (40th), before converting.
The Stade Français staff then had their best idea: to breathe new life into their team with the entries of a much more imaginative Rory Kockott-Zack Henry hinge (55th).
Best in conquest, Paris was quickly rewarded with a new try from Jeremy Ward (58th), transformed by Henry.
“It wasn’t the best match”
With his left foot, the former opener of the Pau Section even allowed the men in pink to take the advantage for the first time of the evening with a penalty 40 meters in the axis.
20-19 in the 66th minute of play while Oyonnax plays at 14 from the yellow of Jonathan Ruru (58th).
A kicking battle ensues.
A little game lost by Oyonnax and Miotti, author of his first miss of the match at the worst moment (69th), 25 meters from the posts.
Zack Henry responded, more effective (75th).
23-19.
The conclusion was unbearable for the Stade Français players, cornered in front of their line and penalized several times.
But the defense held on.
Until a last scratch from the 2nd line Tanginoa Halaifonua.
It was hard but it's okay.
“It wasn’t the best match,” admits Pierre Boudehent on Canal +.
What we wanted was to win and bring home points.
We are super happy.
I congratulate all the guys who did an exemplary job.
» See you now on February 17 at Jean-Bouin facing Perpignan.