French Top 14: Clermont Auvergne pulls out victory over Bourgoin-Jallieu
Clermont Auvergne was able to pull out a victory over Bourgoin-Jallieu on the road over the weekend.
Bourgoin held the lead for the majority of the match, but their inability to produce tries cost them in the end as Clermont was able to dart over the line late in the game. Bourgoin opened up a lead with their kicking, and after being tied heading into the second stanza were able to take the lead. Clermont finally answered back leaving it to last minute tries, sealing a 25-12 victory.
Recap
Alberto Di Bernardo scored all of Bourgoin’s points, starting with an early penalty in the fourth minute to give the home side a 3-0 lead.
Clermont answered back with two penalties from Morgan Parra, who slotted home the three-pointers in the 13th and 21st minutes respectively.
Di Bernardo was able to level the game back up at six with a late penalty in the 39th minute, taking the teams into half time even.
Di Bernardo continued to produce at the offensive end tallying his third penalty of the day in the 47th minute, to give Bourgoin a 9-6 lead. He was then able to push the advantage to six, hitting a penalty in the 51st minute.
The match stayed at 12-6 for the next 20 minutes while the two sides continued to try picking apart one another’s defence. The deadlock was finally broken when Napolioni Nalaga dashed across the line in the 71st minute. Parra added the conversion to give the visitors back the lead at 13-12.
However, it would not stay that way for long as Alexandre Lapandry registered the second try of the day for Clermont in the 74th minute and winger Wesley Fofana added another in the 77th minute to increase the advantage to 25-12, sealing a victory for Clermont.
Bourgoin was unable to produce a try on the offensive end and their decision to settle for penalties hurt them in the final 10 minutes of play. The defence did well to hold off Clermont, but seemed tired by the 70th minute. When they finally capitulated Clermont took full advantage.
Analysis
Bourgoin continues to struggle and sits at the bottom of the table because of it. Expected to be relegated this season they will have to improve their game if they hope to remain in the Top 14 next year.
Clermont was able to bounce back after a tough first week loss and now sits comfortably in the middle of the pack. Nevertheless, they will need to make adjustments if they hope to beat some of the top teams.
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