The Clermontois have only the meager consolation of having snatched the defensive bonus point in the last moments.
"We did not get into the game very well. We made too many mistakes and, under these conditions, it's complicated to chase after the score," admitted Damien Penaud, author of a double, on beIN Sport.
The Auvergnats were penalized for having completely gone through the first period: they were led 16-0 after three penalties from John Cooney (2nd, 7th, 14th), the Irish opener who also transformed a try from Stuart McCloskey (26th).
ASM got back into the game a little thanks to a first try from Damien Penaud transformed by JJ Hanrahan (35th) who then managed a penalty (40th).
But with the insatiable Cooney still missing a penalty in the 38th minute, Ulster led 19-10 at the break.
At the hour of play, Penaud's second try, transformed by Hanrahan, and a penalty passed by the latter allowed Clermont to lead for the only time in the match (20-19, 63rd), with a small hope of victory .
A hope quickly showered by the test of Nick Timoney, transformed by Cooney (26-20, 69th), author of a 100% at the foot, who finally scored 19 of the 29 points of his team.
On this action, Cheikh Tiberghien was sanctioned by a temporary exclusion, a double penalty for the ASM who could not catch up at the end of the game.
Small consolation, the penalty won by Hanrahan at the last minute allowed the Auvergnats to take the defensive bonus.
© 2021 AFP