Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Saturday November 2, 2024 at 4:48 p.m.
Clermont dominated Bordeaux-Bègles this Saturday in the Top 14 but this success for the Jaunards carries a bitter flavor (32-27). At the end of the match, ASM lost the offensive bonus while the Girondins took the defensive bonus.
Has Clermont found its benchmark forty minutes? Faced with a weakened UBB team, certainly deprived of Matthieu Jalibert and former Jaunard Damian Penaud, the XV des Volcans won (32-27) this Saturday at the opening of the 9th day of Top 14. A success built primarily on the pragmatism of Christophe Urios' men, able to score three tries in the first period thanks to Joris Jurand (1st), Pierre Fouyssac (15th) and Bautista Delguy (26th). However, the score of 17-6 acquired at the break was subsequently managed as best they could by the Auvergnats who were far from being masters of their subject in the second half.
Solid in defense, Clermont nevertheless sinned on the disciplinary level. Penalized twenty times, the ASM offered ammunition to its opponent who knew how to make good use of it upon returning from the locker room. Despite the achievements of Léon Darricarrère (53rd) and Barnabé Massa (66th), the UBB found the fault three times. Lachlan Swinton (48th) and Maxime Lamothe (74th), both at the conclusion of the highlights of the Gironde pack, brought the visitors closer on the scoreboard until the stab, looking like a small victory, from Temo Matiu in additional time (80th+1).
Clermont lost a point and offers one to UBB
With a race worthy of the great wingers, the 3rd line killed two birds with one stone by planting his 4th try of the season. Not only he took away the offensive bonus from the Jaunards, but he also granted the defensive bonus to the Garnets. The runner-up from Stade Toulousain before kick-off therefore leaves Auvergne as co-leader (29 points) while ASM temporarily climbs onto the third step of the podium, six points behind its victim of the day. The protégés of Christophe Urios therefore ensured the essentials before the three-week truce, restoring their record to balance (5 victories, 4 defeats) but as a symbol, the unfavorable end of the match highlighted some of the shortcomings making regularly mad with rage the Clermont manager this season.
