After two great victories in the Champions Cup, the Rochelais returned to the Top 14 with the firm desire to continue. As a reminder, they were beaten by Vannes at home before the European break. After a first charge from Alldritt, a scraping of Botiait was West who had the opportunity to open the Maritimes' points counter. The opener did not miss the boat (3-0) from the start.
A first shudder ran through the stands when Thomas tore the first curtain. But the locals were then forced to put up barbed wire as a defense. ASM was the first to cross the chalk line, without scoring. A good Clermont period spoiled by Simone’s yellow card for a dangerous tackle (8th). Urios had warned his flock about discipline. This rusk proved him right.
Festivals of fouls and yellow cards
A start generally interrupted by penalties in which Stade Rochelais spent most of its time in its part of the field. We had to wait until the quarter of an hour and a nice throw into touch to see Ronan O'Gara's men put themselves in a position to score a try. But the beautiful combination with Seuteni did not hit the mark. After 2 minutes 30, La Rochelle's patience paid off with a new attempt by Thomas, well served by his teammate in the center and well helped by the Clermont defense. The double penalty for the ASM, again reduced to 14 following the temporary exclusion of Kremer, when Simone was about to return to the field (10-0).
Despite everything, the visitors showed ambition by bringing danger close to the Maritimes goal. An immediate reaction after the test conceded, validated by three points (10-3, 24th). “These first 20 minutes are not good,” Urios confided to Canal +. Despite everything, only seven points separated the two teams at halftime of the first act. A gap which could have been closer if Urdapilleta had adjusted the sights in the 26th. The time seemed long for the supporters as the fouls and bad gestures stopped the game's intentions. After two new yellow cards, one on each side, Stade Rochelais still found the fault through Dillane. Opportunistic, the Irishman took advantage of the fact that the maul was not formed after a penalty to invite himself to the promised land (17-3, 34th).
The festival of boxes continued from the start of the second act, Berjon also collecting a toast for a voluntary attack on Raka. The double penalty for Stade Rochelais with the penalty try awarded to the Auvergnats on the action, since Urdapilleta was in a position to score from the sidelines (17-10). In this tense match, West was invaluable against the poles to give his team some breathing room (20-10). But he could undoubtedly have done better for the Rochelais after conceding this first try. Especially since Clermont perfectly exploited its numerical superiority with a very good breakthrough from Akhaladze, which led to Raka's goal. Author of a try against Leinster, the winger brought ASM back to five lengths, the transformation having fled the poles. Five points like the points left on the way by the Argentinian.
At that time, victory had not yet chosen its side. But as is often the case in this meeting, it was indiscipline which dictated its law. Teddy Thomas received the sixth yellow card of the match on the hour mark. The Clermont forwards challenged their counterparts on a carried ball to try to equalize, or even go ahead. But the Maritimes responded and took advantage of the opposing errors to get out of a bad situation. Better still, West's very nice 50/22 allowed the pressure to be reversed. Unfortunately for the locals and their supporters, the Auvergne counter shined despite the rain to steal the lead and deprive La Rochelle of a good possession.
La Rochelle was very hot
Ten minutes before the final whistle, we felt that things were starting to drag on in the rain which made it difficult to pass. The slightest mistake could change the match. The ASM scrum collected a valuable penalty. The intentions were clear: victory. We didn't take points at face value. A choice which did not prove to be profitable against a La Rochelle defense determined not to give in on the ball carried by the visitors. A turning point in this tense endgame. A few moments later, Simone did not master a pass through the socks, and Deflandre was able to exult in celebrating this forceps success. Not without a final bout of heat. But Bézy sent the ball into touch, ASM settling for the defensive bonus.
