Clermont-Ferrand (AFP)
Clermont, imperial in the first period before losing his means in the second, ensured the essential against Castres (39-22), a success which allowed him to become a roadblocker again after the 12th day of the Top 14.
Castres, initially amorphous before recovering after the break, now occupies 12th place with a comfortable margin in the red zone (6 points).
In the cold and the mist, Clermont won a match in two stages, which became very tense in the second half. But the ASM has let go of the offensive bonus, a precious reward that has shunned it since the start of the season.
At the break, Franck Azéma's men, dominators in all compartments of the game, thought they had killed the match by leading 30 to 3 but the second act was quite different.
Contrary to its habit this season, the ASM has successfully started with a 60-meter test entered by Raka (6th). Dominators, the Asemists doubled the bet by Fritz Lee (26th) and George Moala managed to register the potential bonus test from the 32nd after an intense collective streak.
But upon returning from the locker room, Clermont lowered their guard against an OC team stung in their pride. Everything changed in a minute, the 49th, when Anthony Jelonch revived Castres after a yellow card for Sébastien Vahaamahina and a ball quickly played by Rory Kockott.
Whose little provocation towards the giant Sitaleki Timani did not go unanswered: the slap inflicted on the half-scrum caused the start of a fight, and the final exclusion from the second line of the ASM. Kockott got him yellow.
At 13 against 14 then 14 against 15, the ASM resisted despite two Castres tests and ensured the win with the boot of Morgan Parra and Greig Laidlaw who rewarded the work of the forwards.
© 2019 AFP