Clermont-Ferrand (AFP)

Eleven tries and a suspenseful final: Clermont and Pau honored their status as fit teams by engaging in an offensive festival on Saturday, concluded with an enhanced success on the wire for the ASM (50-29) which s 'temporarily takes first place.

After the first thirty minutes punctuated by three tries by Sébastien Bézy, Cheikh Tiberghien (his first with the pros) and Apisai Naqalevu, ASM experienced a big air gap when it potentially had the offensive bonus in its pocket.

A bonus quickly erased by the Palois who took advantage of Sébastien Vahaamahina's yellow card to pick up the score with tests from Julien Fumat and Eliott Roudil.

In the second act, Clermont, who played in reaction, regained the lead with a try from Kotaro Matsushima well served by a Camille Lopez still in great shape.

After another try from Clovis Le Bail for the Section, the Auvergnats did not give up and scored a penalty try following a good effort from the pack.

With 5 tries to 3 in their favor and a victory acquired (38-22 in the 63rd), the ASM aimed for the bonus test but it was Pau who scored his fourth.

In an unbridled end of the game, Matsushima quickly responded with a 6th try just after the entry in Clermont.

Finally, it was Camille Lopez who pulled out in stoppage time to register the liberating test.

This bonus was slow to emerge but it allows Clermont to regain the lead of the Top 14 before going to Brive on the 7th day.

Despite his determination, Pau, who will host La Rochelle, has not repeated his feat of last year and his victory at Marcel-Michelin (37-28).

© 2020 AFP