A try on the hooter by Christian Nadir secured USJ’s hugely dramatic 30-28 victory over slumping LAU in a thrilling boilover at Bhamdoun on Saturday evening. In one of the biggest upsets in Lebanese rugby league history, and arguably its most exciting finale, USJ, anchored at the foot of the table on 2 points and on a ten-match losing streak, stunned the table-topping Immortals to throw the cat amongst the pigeons as the season approaches its denouement.

The Saints overcame a 22-6 halftime deficit, taking advantage of an LAU side that took its foot off the gas to storm home in the most spectacular fashion, with five second half tries to LAU’s one. The Hamra outfit initially used their impressive forward tandem of Robin Hachache and George Rehayem to full effect, with the duo too good for USJ’s timid defence, spearheading the opening salvoes that resulted in three tries inside the opening 14 minutes. It could have been four but for wing Kevin Haddad’s dolly drop with the line begging. In response, USJ could only slot Danny Kazandjian’s 4^th minute penalty, and Ramy Rassy’s soft 24^th minute try. Wing Yves Khoury scored in the 40^th minute after more domineering LAU forward play to restore the Immortals’ commanding lead.

Trailing by 16, USJ needed to score first in the second half, and they did, courtesy of a trademark Saints backline move. Scrum half Zahi Mehr, who impressed in his first outing at 7, linked with stand off Augustin Dechoulot in midfield. The Frenchman attacked the line before shoveling a pass to Kazandjian, whose quick pass put Hanna Hajjar into space, with the prolific centre racing in from 20-metres, registering his ninth try of the season to make it 22-10.

Then, two tries in three minutes had USJ right back in contention, and but for Kazandjian’s wayward goal-kicking – he netted three of seven attempts - they would have been at least level. On 56 minutes second row Ramy Rassy got his double, powering virtually untouched through LAU’s porous defence, which suffered out wide without first-choice centres Bahije Saidar and Mohamed Jamil. Having broken through down the middle, the Saints then broke LAU out wide. Dechoulot received the ball just inside his own half, seemingly with nowhere to go, but two weak tackle attempts from Ahmad Fadlallah and Waleed Atieh saw the pacy exchange student in the clear with only green grass ahead of him. Despite a determined chase from Peter Aunjian, Dechoulot touched down to make it 22-20 to LAU.

Attempting to stop the rot, LAU threw the rested Rehayem back into the fray, and although LAU had a number of second half chances they frittered most of them away. First Karim Jamal passed into touch, then Abisaid knocked on at the goal-line. Prop Ray Finan, who had scored the opening try, passed forward, and another errant Jamal pass left Hanny Rifai with too much to do. USJ, who squandered a chance when Hijjal’s pass virtually on LAU’s goal-line found touch rather than its intended target, the supporting Nadir, were far less profligate, making only three second half handling errors to LAU’s six. On 70 minutes, Rony Akel took a short ball of Mehr and scored another soft try as some LAU defenders just stood and watched, putting the Saints up 26-22.

LAU hit back five minutes later as the game hurtled towards its gripping climax. USJ fullback Gilbert Kossob’s knock on handed the Immortals the ball, then Nadir’s loose lips cost them thirty additional metres. Having been handed an attacking platform, LAU’s forwards did the rest, with Rehayem going over. Jamal’s deadly boot made it 28-26. But USJ were not done. Penned inside their own red zone they patiently made ground, then Kazandjian’s bomb was fumbled by the unfortunate Khoury. A penalty for offside against LAU’s retreating defence put USJ firmly on the attack, then another penalty for a high shot by Rifai increased the pressure as the clock passed into the final minute. From the tap, Ramy Rassy looked to be over, only for LAU to rediscover some defensive urgency, not before time, and repulse him from inside their own in-goal. Then Kazandjian was stopped short before Rassy had another attempt after taking a good long ball from impressive debutant hooker Bassam Rachid. He somehow managed to get his arms free, slipping an impossible off-load to Nadir, who planted the ball down to secure a miraculous victory.

LAU has now dropped three successive games. The Immortals, five times championship winners, have never lost four straight and now face two do-or-die clashes with Balamand next month.