After Pau, ASM Clermont chained a second bonus victory on its Michelin pitch, in Top 14, this Saturday. Christophe Urios’ players scored four tries against the Bayonnais, including a double from the Georgian left pillar, Giorgi Akhaladze, starting for the first time since his arrival in Auvergne.
The match summary
Clermont remains in control at Michelin and is back in the Top 14. After being stopped last weekend in Créteil against Racing 92 (33-20), ASM won a second home victory (26-10) this Saturday, September 21, dominating with the offensive bonus an Aviron bayonnais always as harmless away.
Dominant in all sectors, Clermont nevertheless conceded the opening goal to the Basques, on a penalty from the ex-Aurillac player Segonds (0-3, 3rd). After this sluggish start, ASM quickly made the break, scoring two tries in 5 minutes. First by the ex-Bayonnais Thomas Ceyte (7-3, 14th), then by Giorgi Akhaladze (14-3, 19th), with, each time involved, a very fit Alivereti Raka for his return from injury.
In the second half, Clermont made the difference again in 5 minutes, with two other goals, scored by Akhaladze (21-3, 45th) and Newsome (26-3, 50th); the full-back was at the start and conclusion of the best try of the match.
Bayonne woke up just before the hour mark, saving their honour with a try by Martocq (26-10, 58th). And the latter even nearly deprived ASM of the offensive bonus, by dropping the ball, when it was time to flatten in the corner (71st). By tackling the first Bayonne centre, on this action, Léon Darricarrère saved this 5th point, which once again fell into the hands of the Auvergne club, solid at home.
Top 14: ASM Clermont secures the essentials with its bonus victory against Bayonne (re-read the live)
The player: Giorgi Akhaladze
For his first match as a starter with ASM after starting the two previous matches on the bench, the 25-year-old Georgian left pillar made an impression this Saturday at the Michelin, but also and above all with a double.
In the first closed scrums, the new Clermont player got the upper hand on his opposite number, which earned his team two penalties.
We also saw him to his advantage in the dynamic game, notably on his second try, scored between the posts, after good work from the Auvergne forwards (45th).
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The number: 5
Like the number of points taken by ASM this Saturday. Its second offensive bonus scored in as many matches played at home at the start of the championship, after the one scored against Pau (37-9), on September 7.
As well as the number of consecutive offensive bonuses obtained by the Asémistes on their Michelin pitch, counting their last three home victories of last season.
As well as the number of balls won on opposing throws by the Clermontois after only 25 minutes of play. The Bayonne line-up experienced a real nightmare in this sector of the conquest in the first period, as well as in the closed scrum. Ammunition wasted by the Basques, counter-balls to play for the Auvergnats, stronger on the fundamentals, even if Bayonne rectified the shot after the break.
The technical sheet
CLERMONT-FERRAND (Stade Marcel-Michelin). ASM Clermont beat Bayonne 26-10 (half-time: 14-3). Referee Mr. Blasco-Baqué. 15,596 spectators.
The points. For ASM Clermont: four tries from Ceyte (14th), Akhaladze (19th, 45th), Newsome (50th), three transformations (14th, 19th, 45th) from Belleau.
For Bayonne: a try from Martocq (58th), a penalty (3rd) and a transformation (58th) from Segonds.
Yellow cards. In Bayonne: Poloniati (20th), Tiberghien (53rd).
Temporary change. In Bayonne: Martocq by Erbinartegaray (31st-40th).
Evolution of the score. 0-3 (for Bayonne), 7-3, 14-3 (half-time), 21-3, 26-3, 26-10.
ASM Clermont. Newsome; Fall (Raka, 68th), Tauzin, Moala, Raka (Darricarrère, 59th); (o) Belleau, (m) Jauneau (cap.) (Bézy, 51st); Sowakula, Lee, Yato (Tixeront, 64th); Ceyte, Lanen (Hemery, 64th); Ojovan (Montagne, 55th), Fainga’a (Fourcade, 51st), Akhaladze (Lotrian, 55th).
Bayonne.Orabé (Maqala, 55th); Tiberghien, Maqala, Martocq, Callandret; (o) Segonds (Lopez, 63rd), (m) Machenaud (Rouet, 63rd); Héguy (cap.) (Chouzenoux, 51st), Habel-Küffner, Capilla (Héguy, 73rd); Moon, Poloniati (Marchois, 51st); Cotet (Tagi, 46th), Giudicelli (Martin, 51st), Bordelai (Castillon, 63rd).
Raphael Rochette
