Mathieu Warnier, Media365, published on Saturday January 18, 2025 at 6:15 p.m.
In an intense encounter until the final moments, Clermont was able to make the decision against the Bristol Bears (33-26), which allowed them to successfully remain in the running for the round of 16 of the Champions Cup.
Clermont believed in it until the end, rightly so! In a final meeting of the crucial group stage in the race for the round of 16 of the Champions Cup, ASM had no room for error against the Bristol Bears. A match of rare intensity which ended in suspense. The start of the match saw the Clermontois get their hands on the ball. However, this domination did not materialize on the scoreboard, the Bears defense showing itself as solid as it was disciplined. But an anti-play foul near his line by Harry Byrne changed the situation. Reduced to fourteen for ten minutes, Bristol very quickly broke against the Auvergne charges. On the sideline following the penalty, ASM fixed the English defense on the line before Anthony Belleau accelerated the game. The gap created was the business of Alex Newsome, who went to flatten the first try of the match midway through the first period. The Clermont striker then missed the transformation. Hit in one arm, Sacha Lotrian gave way to Etienne Falgoux on the front line for Clermont. Returning to numerical equality, the Bears tried to raise their heads but they came across a fierce defense from the Jaunards, who did better than hold on. On the last action of the first act, a good initiative from Baptiste Jauneau, Anthony Belleau found Alivereti Raka, who brought the power to speak to flatten a converted try.
-Bristol knew how to hold on
It was with a margin of twelve points that ASM returned to its locker room. With their backs to the wall, the Bristol Bears pushed from the restart. An attitude which ended up paying off nine minutes after the restart. On a carried ball, Etienne Falgoux made a mistake by collapsing it. This did not escape the referee, who had a heavy hand. In addition to a yellow card for the Clermont pillar, he awarded a penalty try to the English team. Despite this numerical inferiority for ten minutes, Christophe Urios' players did not lose their footing and were even able to keep their opponents at bay. On a good combination in touch, Alivereti Raka found space to score a double, bringing his team closer to the defensive bonus 25 minutes from the end of the match. Except that the Jaunards started to slow down, which benefited the Bears. At the hour mark, on a throw-in missed by the Clermont players, James Dun took advantage of the uncertainty to recover the ball and go to flatten it without adversity. Harry Byrne, however, missed the conversion, leaving the English club with a converted try from Clermont. The Stade Marcel-Michelin was then quickly frozen when Noah Heward allowed the Bears to equalize. On a well-aimed kick from Harry Byrne, the Auvergne defense was taken by surprise. The Bristol full-back took the opportunity to flatten at the foot of the posts, making the transformation easier for his scorer.
Clermont knew how to push to the end
Forced to win to continue their journey in the Champions Cup, the ASM players gave everything in the final minutes. While Benjamin Urdapilleta missed a penalty within his reach, it was through indiscipline that the Clermontois regained the advantage in the score. Indeed, on a throw-in, the ball carried came dangerously close to the line but Fitz Harding acted to collapse it. After video refereeing, the Bears third row received a yellow card while a penalty try was awarded to the Jaunards. A euphoria that was short-lived. Indeed, on the return, Alivereti Raka loses control of the ball. On the recovery, Bristol pushed the game and Kieran Marmion took the opportunity to flatten his team's fourth try in the corner. Harry Byrne's transformation put the two teams back on level terms. Beyond the siren, the Clermont players pushed to make the decision with in particular Benjamin Urdapilleta who wanted to put himself in a drop position, without managing to hit. Ball losses then continued for two teams at the limit of their strength. By insisting, the ASM had the last word. Six minutes after the siren, Thomas Ceyte forced his way to the opposing goal at the foot of the posts. The transformation was a formality to ensure Clermont's victory at the end of the suspense (33-26). The Jaunards then awaited the results of the other matches in this Pool 2, which allowed them to validate their place in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup.
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