Crazy: Mathieu Valbuena battles with Toulon’s flanker Pierrick Gunther in the half-football half-rugby match (Picture: AFP)

Marseille have scored a victory for football after beating rugby outfit Toulon 36-35 in a bizarre half-football half-rugby match at the Stade Mayol.

The mad fixture was cooked up by a local charity with the aim of deciding which sport was best out of football and rugby union – while raising a few pounds for a good cause in the process.

Two of France’s heavyweight teams signed up it, with Marseille taking on the honour of representing football, while Toulon accepted the challenge of defending rugby.

Eric Cantona refereed clash, which saw both teams play a first half of football, followed by a second period of rugby to decide the tie.




Marseille made a good start to the match, going ahead with two goals from goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, playing in midfield, but Toulon then hit three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead.

MORE: Kids team curry favour with sponsor

Conversion: Dimitri Payet of Marseille lines up a kick (Picture: AFP)

However, Marseille turned it around to take a 4-5 advantage into the second half, where the shin pads were exchanged for the gum guards.

Toulon showed their superior class by powering out of the traps, but Marseille showed they were an even match, with striker Andre-Pierre Gignac and defensive midfielder Alaixys Romao bagging key tries.

New striker Dimitri Payet missed a handful of conversions, showing he needs to tweak his shooting boots, allowing England rugby ace Delon Armitage to put Toulon back ahead.

But Marseille secured a 31-31 draw late on, with physio Christophe Manouvrier touching down.

The combined results meant a win for Marseille, 36-35.

Madness.

MORE: Suarez stars in ad mocking his own diving antics