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Jonny Sexton scored a try and a penalty as he made a telling impact off the bench. INPHO/Harold Cunningham

Racing rescue mission as Sexton try snatches win

The Irishman made a telling impact after he came off the bench in the second half.

JONATHAN SEXTON CAME off the bench to seal a fifth league win of the season for his new club. The outhalf scored a try and penalty in the final quarter to secure a 26 — 19 win for Racing Metro over Bordeaux-Bégles.

Sexton, who endured a shaky start to life in the Top 14, is well and truly settled and delivering match-winning performances. Having started five of his first seven league fixtures, the outhalf began his evening on the bench.

It looked as though his services may not be needed as Racing, playing at home, took a 16 — 3 lead. Marc Andreu scored tries in the 26th and 31st minute and Jonathan Wisniewski contributed two conversions and two penalties.

A try just before the break from Metuisela Talebula gave Bordeaux hope. Pierre Bernard chipped away at the Racing lead, slotting over two penalties to make it 18 — 16. Sexton’s crucial intervention came on 62 minutes. He outpaced Bruce Reihana up the right wing and dotted down to give his team breathing room.

Another Bernard penalty made it 23 — 19 and meant Bordeaux could snatch the win with a late try. Ill discipline from Bordeaux allowed Sexton a look at the posts and his penalty on 68 minutes was the final score of the game.

Bernard Jackman’s Grenoble secured an excellent away win against Biarritz this evening thanks to a late score from Roland Bernard. Racing are up to fourth in the league while Grenoble climb to seventh.

Over in the Aviva Premiership, Gareth Steenson won the battle of the Ulster outhalves as he out-scored Ian Humphreys of London Irish. Steenson scored 19 points, all from the kicking tee, as his Exeter Chiefs side came from three points down in the final stages to triumph 29 — 23.

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