Clermont breaks long standing duck to capture Top14 in France
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Clermont Top14 Champions of 2010
It was sweet victory for Clermont as they won their first ever French title.
A try from winger Napolioni Nalaga, and solid kicking displays from Morgan Parra, Brock James and Anthony Floch made the difference for Clermont.
Two penalty goals by Jerome Porical is all Perpignan had to show for their efforts.
The game started with massive collisions between the two forward packs and that set the tone for the rest of the match. Tempers flared up numerous times in a bruising encounter.
Clermont was first on the board with a Parra penalty goal in the 10th minute. That after both teams’ kickers missed with earlier penalty goals.
A brilliant break by Rougerie and Floch from a lineout move was the catalyst for the first and only try of the match as Nalaga showed great strength to force his way over the line. Parra converted the try and Clermont led 10-0 after 15minutes.
Two moments of poor discipline by Clermont was all Perpignan needed to close the gap to 4 points. Both penalties converted by Jerome Porical in the 20th and 26th minutes,
Clermont immediately put some phases together and Parra punished Perpignan with another penalty after they went off their feet at ruck time.
Jerome Porical missed another easy penalty just short of half-time after Marius Joubert was penalised for a dangerous tackle..
Score 13-6 for Clermont at the break.
In the 2nd half, Perpignan started to put some phases together but great defence from Clermont and poor kicking by Porical kept them scoreless.
Clermont then pinned Perpignan back in their own half for most of the 2nd half. In the 62nd minute Parra split the uprights with another penalty to put Clermont 10 points clear. He missed a similar kick minutes later but a firmly struck drop goal from Floch edged Clermont 13 points ahead with 12 minutes to go.
Perpigan lifted their game in the final minutes but Clermont was too fired up to win their first title and ran down the clock with ease.
Clermont started celebrating as soon as the final whistle was blown, and why not?
4th consecutive final. First victory. It was always going to mean so much to the team and their supporters.
Perpignan:
Pens: Porical x 2
Clermont:
Tries: Nalaga
Cons: Parra
Pens: Parra x 3
Drops: Floch
[Article by James Loretz for www.rugby15.co.za] [ james@rugby15.co.za]
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