French Top 14 round five: Clermont Auvergne controls in win over Montpellier
Clermont Auvergne was able to pull off a strong victory at home over Montpellier on the weekend.
Clermont played impressive rugby in a win at home over Montpellier in round five. The two sides looked well matched early. However, Clermont began to put on the pressure and took an eight-point lead into half-time. After the break they focused on defence, controlling the game and keeping Montpellier off the board on their way to a 27-20 win.
Recap
Montpellier was able to get on the board first with a penalty from scrum-half Beneoit Paillaugue in the seventh minute, giving the visitors a quick 3-0 lead.
Clermont answered back with a try in the 14th minute courtesy of David Zirakashvili. Fly-half Brock James kicked the conversion putting the hosts in front 7-3.
Montpellier were strong early however, and they responded with a try from winger Pierre Berard in the 17th minute. Paillaugue tacked on the extra points and Montpellier took back the lead at 10-7.
However, James was able to get the lead back for his side by notching two penalties in the 21st and 37th minutes respectively. The two scores put the home side up 13-10.
Clermont kept busy until the very end of the first stanza by registering their second try of the day from winger Julien Malzieu. The last-minute try allowed the home team to take an 18-10 lead into half-time.
After the break Clermont settled back into a defensive game. With an eight-point lead the home team was able to lock down, keeping Montpellier off the board. Already a very defensive side, the visitors struggled to get their game together in the face of such staunch defence.
Clermont held their lines until late in the match when lock Jamie Cudmore forced his way over the line for the club’s third try of the game, earning them a 27-10 win.
Analysis
Clermont has been one of the more surprising sides this season, now sitting in third spot. They have played incredible defence, having allowed the least amount of points-against so far this season.
Montpellier had based their success this season on a similar defensive game plan to that of Clermont. However, they have struggled to score and are operating at a point differential of only plus-three. If Montpellier hopes to remain in the top seven they will have to improve at the offensive end.
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