schema:articleBody
| - Bordeaux-Begles scored a try six minutes into added time to win 37-36 at Clermont on Saturday and continue their Top 14 revival. A week after a late penalty gave them a one-point victory away to Racing, Bordeaux-Begles trailed by seven points with five minutes to play but fought back to jump from seventh to fourth in the table. "It's hard to beat a team that never gives up," said Bordeaux-Begles coach Christophe Urios. Clermont started the day one place above their visitors but cracked under late pressure. "Our indiscipline costs us dearly. We had a good victory but showed bad game management in money time," said Clermont coach Franck Azema. They conceded a 75th minute penalty which Maxime Lucu converted. Then as the siren sounded to signal that 80 minutes were up, Clermont infringed at a ruck. Scrum half Lucu found touch. After the lineout, Nathaniel Hulleu, a second half substitute, crossed the line for the visitors, but the try was ruled out after review. Clermont centre Jean-Pascal Barraque received a yellow card for a deliberate knock on in the build up. Bordeaux-Begles again kicked to touch and their pressure was rewarded when winger Hulleu touched down in the corner while Alivereti Raka tried to haul him out of play. This time the try was given and Raka received a yellow card for a high tackle. It was the fourth time Bordeaux have won by one point away from home in the Top 14 and they went unbeaten in five games in January, all against teams in the top seven places. The only match they did not win was at home to Clermont on January 16, when a late penalty by Barraque gave the visitors a 16-16 draw. "After a diabolical series of matches, I am proud of the players. I saw a team of winners," said Urios. On Saturday, in a game of wild momentum swings, prop Clement Maynadier and fullback Romain Buros gave Bordeaux-Begles an early lead with tries in the first 10 minutes, but Ben Botica missed both conversions and a penalty after 22 minutes. The home team lost Japanese back Kotaro Matsushima, who limped off after 18 minutes with an apparent thigh injury, but fought back with tries by Fritz Lee and Barraque. With fly half Camille Lopez landing both conversions and kicking two penalties, the home side led 22-10 at the break. Lucu took over kicking and landed two penalties and also converted Jean-Baptiste Dubie's try as the visitors regained the lead after an hour. Clermont replied with a try by Lee and after Bordeaux Begles were reduced to 14 when flanker Alexandre Roumat received a yellow card with 11 minutes to play Lopez landed his eighth successful kick from nine attempts to give the home team a seven-point lead. Lyon and Toulon, who are both in action later on Saturday, can overtake Bordeaux-Begles before the end of the round. The top-of-the table match at La Rochelle has been postponed after a cluster of coronavirus cases at leaders Toulouse. fjt/fbx/pb/nr/dj
|