Clermont-Ferrand (AFP)
Surprise at the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin: Clermont was beaten by the Section Paloise on the score of 28-37. A first away win this season for the Béarnais, unexpected but deserved.
Yet Clermont was able to count on the injury returns of Morgan Parra, Alexandre Lapandry and Etienne Falgoux for this match, but the men of Franck Azema delivered a pale copy to hope better than this defeat.
For Pau, it is a first victory in Auvergne for 17 years.
Franck Azéma and his players had sounded the alarm throughout the week on the onset of failed matches. Yet Clermont had once again a difficult start to the game, conceding a first try of Giovanni Habel-Kuffner in the 4th minute on a ball ripped off the hands of Fritz Lee, then a second, penalty, even before the 20th minute ( 3-14).
Once again, the Clermontois had a hard time getting started and the Jaunards relied on a flash of Samuel Ezeala, served on foot by Morgan Parra, to exist in a first act missed in large widths ( 11-17).
Absent since May 10 on injury, the return of Morgan Parra was not enough to put the heads of Clermont at the place. Worse, Clermont concedes a third try in the 43rd on an interception of Colin Slade, demonstrating once again the excitement of the premises.
This essay at least had the merit of awakening the Clermont front, who responded to a penetrating group concluded by Fritz Lee (18-24, 48). In the wake of his forwards, Betham scored his third try of the season (62).
But Clermont has suffered the counter Bearn with a new test of Samuel Marques (59). The Clermont have tried everything for the whole in the last 10 minutes, but to no avail.
With this 3rd win in 4 matches, Pau is ideally placed with a total of 12 points and can move serenely next Saturday on the lawn of Toulouse.
For Clermont, it is a second consecutive defeat, with a total of 8 points and a record of 2 wins for 2 losses. The reaction is expected from the next day on the side of Paris, with a trip to Stade-Français.
© 2019 AFP