La Rochelle: 20
Clermont : 15
From our special correspondent
The last time that the Rochelais played a championship match in their den of Deflandre, sold out for 99 consecutive times, they got their feet caught in a Breton carpet. The people of Vannes had given them a great lesson in conquest to leave Charente-Maritime with victory (14-23).
Since then, after two successes in the European Cup, Ronan O'Gara's men have redone their cherry and did not intend to repeat the experience of a defeat at home any time soon. Now led by captain Aldritt, who had failed against Vannes, they nevertheless had to climb, this Saturday, December 21, an Auvergne mountain, now installed on the championship podium, after three successes in a row.
1
Center Mathis Belaubre (Clermont), 19, started for the first time in the Top 14.
To lead the Rochelais, the Irish technician once again gave his confidence to Ihaia West, at the opening, in a sector where little by little, the New Zealander seems to be doing well. He was also the first to score from the midfield from the first minutes (3e).
We didn't know it yet, but La Rochelle would be in the lead from start to finish, even under pressure, even when cornered in their camp…
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Dillane opens his counter
Barely the time for Skelton and Ceyte to open the chestnut season, when Clermont already found itself at 14, after two illicit gestures from Simone (8e) and Kremer (18e).
However, the Auvergnats were ahead and it took heroic defense from Skelton to keep the Maritimes in the lead, ideally launched by Thomas' try a few minutes earlier (17e).
In a match committed beyond reason, Pierre Brousset, the referee, had to remind everyone to stay in the frame and sent Penverne (La Rochelle) and Simmons (Clermont) to calm down on the edge (32e).
“We put a lot of commitment into it”
“We didn’t want to get stepped on. We put a lot of commitment into it, sometimes a little too much. But we wanted to look them in the eyes”confirmed ASM hooker, Étienne Fourcade.
In the process, Dillane, at the conclusion of a finely played touch, then took the opportunity to raise the Deflandre stadium, the pillar thus offering himself his first try with the Maritimes. La Rochelle had their subject under control at the break (17-3).
“There was a false rhythm, but when we managed to move them, we hurt them, we could even have scored an extra try. We had a full first period, the trend was reversed in the second. We got scared…”regretted Rémi Thalès, the maritime trainer.
Clermont may have regrets
The resumption quickly set the tone, following a contested arbitration decision. Berjon's voluntary forward, the maritime scrum-half, was validated by the video: penalty try and yellow card. The bronca in the bays of Deflandre changed nothing, Clermont quickly chipped away at its delay (17-10, 45e).
50
Two Rochelais, Uini Atonio and Levani Botia, have reached the milestone of 50 European matches (Challenge Cup and Champions Cup).
Even more so when Raka fell, barely ten minutes later, in the end zone. Stade Rochelais, too penalized and reduced to 14 twice, lost track of the match.
“We wanted to show a lot of intensity when we returned from the locker room, but lost balls and mistakes made it difficult for us, confirmed Greg Aldritt, the La Rochelle captain. It could have gone badly at the end of the match, but we had a good reaction against a good team…”
It's true, the last minutes turned into a fight, Clermont pushed as one man in front of the maritime advantage line. And even fell behind. La Rochelle was saved by the powerful arms of Skelton.
“Regrets? Yes and no. We bring back a point from the outside, that's goodindicated Étienne Fourcade. Afterwards we were frustrated with the last opportunity, we had the possibility of drawing a match, or even winning. »
“It’s better than nothing” for Clermont
And against all odds, Sébastien Bezy, the ASM scrum half, from the midfield, “took responsibility” to send the ball beyond the limits and secure the bonus. “It’s better than nothing…smiled Christophe Urios, the Clermont coach. My team competed, but we could win. We lacked precision and efficiency, but we are moving forward. »
After fighting fiercely, everyone finally left with a little something before the holidays. And Aldritt concludes: “We are happy, we remain on three victories, we will enjoy ours, but we have to be more demanding if we want to achieve our objectives. »
Half time: 17-3.
Referee: M. Brousset.
16,700 spectators (box offices closed)
For La Rochelle: 2E Thomas (17e), Dillane (34e) ; 2T West (17e34e) ; 2P West (3e54e).
For Clermont: 2nd penalty (45e), Cancer (56e) ; 1P Urdapilleta (23e).
Yellow cards: in La Rochelle, Penverne (32e), Berjon (45e), Thomas (62e) ; in Clermont, Simone (8e), Kremer (18e), Simmons (32e).
