The Section Paloise won this Saturday against ASM Clermont Auvergne (22-11), on the occasion of the 10th day of the Top 14. The Béarnais – who are relaunching after two defeats in three championship matches – have scored three tries by Fisi’ihoi (19th), Simmonds (48th) and Tuimaba (78th), against only one for the Jaunards through Fourcade (57th), in the second period. Under the eyes of former All Black Sam Whitelock, Pau temporarily moved up to 2nd place while awaiting the matches of Toulon (in Toulouse, 9:05 p.m.) and Stade Français which hosts La Rochelle (6 p.m.). Clermont, which concedes a third defeat in its last four matches in the Top 14, remains ninth, far from its ambitions.
The first minutes of this match were marked by chronic clumsiness among the 30 players, with five scrums at the end of the first quarter of an hour. But the Palois finally unlocked their counter, with a penalty from Simmonds. A few moments later, they took advantage of a disagreement between Clermontois on the sidelines to steal the cook and send Fisi’iho on trial.
While the Auvergnats thought they could count on the return to form of Urdapilleta, returning from his elbow injury, the latter was hit in the shoulder in a ruck. After several minutes spent gritting his teeth while trying to hold his place, he finally gave way to Fouyssac (27th). In the absence of the Argentinian opener, it was Anthony Belleau who was responsible for scoring, scoring his team’s first points from a penalty (38th). However, he missed a second attempt a few moments later (40th), and the two teams returned to the locker room with a gap of seven points (10-3).
In the second act, both teams engaged more, making the game more exciting. Quickly, the locals scored a new try (49th) thanks to Simmonds. After countering the Clermont touch, the ball came out for Rey who volleyed the leather well. The Pau flyhalf took the opportunity to cross the line and increase the score thanks to the conversion (17-3).
But under the impetus of Urios’ changes, the Jaunards showed themselves to be more enterprising. Fourcade first scored a try for ASM, in the second half after the good Pau defense. Belleau further reduced the gap with a penalty (17-11, 66th). In the last ten minutes, the visitors pushed, under the worried eye of Sam Whitelock present in the stands. Tempers grew heated at the end of the meeting, a sign of growing tension.
Finally, Tuimaba delivered his team by scoring the winning try just before the siren (79th). Carol caught a candle from Raka, and raised her own. Gailleton then offered to relay, before throwing the Fijian winger at the goal. At the end of a suspenseful second half, Pau resumed its march forward in front of its audience.
