Brive-la-Gaillarde (AFP)
The Massif Central derby, played behind closed doors, smiled on Clermont, logical winner in Brive (43-21) with the added bonus of an offensive bonus won four minutes after the siren on Saturday at the opening of the 7th day of Top 14.
We no longer stop the Clermontois!
Four matches, four victories, the second in a row with five points and here is the Jaunards who take the lead in the standings, pending Sunday travel from La Rochelle to Pau (5:00 p.m.) and Toulouse to the French Stadium (9:05 p.m.).
Clermont first built its success on cold realism, before a disheveled end to the match.
The CAB, obviously lacking power against the visitors, came out in snatches of pressure, before playing on equal terms from the hour mark. Too late, however, to hope for anything.
The ASM never trembled at the Stadium, put into orbit by an entry force test signed Lee (3rd) and little worried by clumsy Corréziens on their scarce ammunition and confined to mostly defensive tasks.
Barraque, of a superb parabolic race, arose before the break to shower the hopes of some and double the capital of his family, untouchable (0-17).
The passage to the locker room did good for the men of Jeremy Davidson, returned with better intentions and rewarded with a test of hope signed by the pillar Chauvac (40 + 1e).
But the Brivist improvement came to an end, despite the numerical superiority - Lee's yellow card - with Fourcade carrying the blow on penaltouche, just to put Clermont to safety (7-31).
The Coujoux did not hear it that way: in quick succession, Fa'aso'o on a penalty played by hand at 5m (66th) and Muller (72nd) after a crossing and an irresistible race, revived the debates.
Experience, Clermont found himself in the wake of Bézy playing trickster for a personal try (76th) before Betham, pushed by his entire pack, picked up an offensive bonus after very long stoppage in play.
© 2020 AFP