The Clermontois were expected after the rout at the Stade Français and they responded. Faced with a UBB weakened by the absence of French internationals, the Auvergnats made the difference in the first period by scoring three tries (32-27). The Girondins, long feverish in defense and not realistic enough in their highlights, leave with the defensive bonus thanks to a try from Matiu at the siren in this first match of the 9th day of Top 14.
After a heavy defeat against Stade Français, Clermont had to relaunch at home against UBB, second in the Top 14. It was done this Saturday afternoon. Marcel-Michelin remains impregnable this season after Clermont's great victory against Bordeaux (32-27) at the opening of the ninth day. In a meeting where the UBB lacked realism, the ASM provisionally climbed onto the championship podium.
Clermont was expected after the rout in Paris and responded (32-27). The Girondins, long feverish in defense and not realistic enough in their highlights, leave with the defensive bonus thanks to a try from Matiu at the siren.
Notes > https://t.co/xXSSRhqOFF pic.twitter.com/ZErlgntxMW
— RUGBYRAMA (@RugbyramaFR) https://twitter.com/RugbyramaFR/status/1852735621569105992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Thunderous start to the match
There was no need to be late this afternoon at the Marcel-Michelin stadium! After the kick-off, the Clermontois seized possession in the 22 meters of Bordeaux before Sowakula lit up the start of the match with a sublime pass after contact for his winger Joris Jurand who only had to flatten (5-0, 1st). The match continues but the Bordelais fail to develop their attractive game, marked by numerous passes. Yannick Bru's players nevertheless take advantage of a Clermont error and Joey Carbery unlocks his foot counter (5-3, 12th). In the process, Fritz Lee's partners are back in the opposing camp and ASM scores a second try in less than a quarter of an hour. Following a combination, Baptiste Jauneau crosses the pass for Pierre Fouyssac who flattens under the poles despite the return of Maxime Lucu (12-3, 15th). Before the twentieth minute of play, the Bordeaux flyhalf allowed his team to stay in contact (12-6, 19th).
Before the half-hour mark, the Auvergnats want to drive home the point! Following a pick and go session, Baptiste Jauneau takes the ball out and plays in the open side, towards Alex Newsome. The rear fixes and serves Delguy with a sublime chistera for his winger who scores Clermont's third try (17-6, 26th). Note Rohan Van Rensburg's yellow card during the action for a tackle deemed too high. Before half-time, the Bordelais rebel and invest the opposing 22 meters. After multiple penalties, Adrien Marbot took action and inflicted a yellow card on Fritz Lee, sanctioned twice consecutively (33rd). At the break, the locals opened up a significant gap and moved closer to a fifth victory at Marcel-Michelin.
The try that spoils the party
Returning from the locker room, the Bordeaux players return with new ambitions after a first act where they cruelly lacked realism. In the 48th minute of play, Van Rensburg broke through the Auvergne defense before Lachlon Swinton followed the movement of the forwards. The second line sounds the revolt by scoring the first try for the UBB, transformed by Carbery (17-13, 49th). But the visitors' hopes quickly ended. Jauneau finds Léon Darricarrere who breaks a tackle to forcefully flatten and score ASM's fourth try, validated on video (24-13, 54th). The video will have punctuated this second period. After a penalty from Urdapilleta (27-13, 60th), Maxime Lamothe thinks to restart his team two minutes later. The try was finally refused after a poor placement by Guido Petti on the ball carried. A quarter of an hour from the end, third row Temo Matiu leaves his team numerically inferior after a bad tackle (65th), sanctioned by Clermont. Replacement hooker, Barnabé Massa flattens with force (32-13, 66th).
In the money-time, Benjamin Urdapilleta also received a yellow card for two repetitive fouls in a few seconds (73rd). After a first attempt was refused, Maxime Lamothe was finally rewarded with a handball penalty (32-20, 74th). In the final minutes, Garcia intercepted a Clermont try opportunity but it was deemed illicit by Adrien Marbot. The young Bordeaux player is also warned (78th). In the process, Joris Jurand thought of scoring a double but his second try was refused for a similar reason to the Bordeaux team. Peceli Yato hampered the Bordeaux defense on a carried ball (79th). After the siren, the UBB must go back sixty meters to score a converted try and leave with the defensive bonus point. Launched by Van Rensburg, Temo Matiu showed his speed to finally score a liberating try validated on video, synonymous with a defensive bonus for his team and loss of the offensive bonus for ASM (32-27, 80+2nd). With this success, Clermont temporarily climbs onto the podium of the Top 14, while UBB joins Toulouse at the top of the championship. Upon returning from the international break, the two teams will travel respectively to Vannes for Bordeaux-Bègles and to Lyon for ASM.
