Clermont v Saracens: Free the Clermont Six!
Goode: sublime footwork
By King Zak
October 12 2010
So, our much anticipated return to Heineken Cup action ended in a fairly hefty defeat. The day dawned in bright sunshine that was the theme of the weekend and it was a real delight to be able to go to the game in shorts and t-shirt. Where ever we went in the town we were received with genuine warmth to match the weather.
Having had time to wander round the town we headed off to Stade Marcel Michelin about 2 hours before kick off. Many supporters had already started to gather at the ground and in the numerous nearby bars. We were treated to a variety of bands and a fly past by the French equivalent of the Red Arrows, the "Patrouille de France". The bright sunshine and vivid yellow and blue of Clermont combined to make a fantastic pre-match atmosphere (along with the sponsor’s beverage).
Inside the ground was even more spectacular; a giant replica shirt was ‘surfed’ around the ground and the stands shaking with everyone bouncing up and down – quite scary when you’re on the top deck! We were with a group of about 15 fellow Sarries and I had the pleasure of sitting next to an excitable Clermont fan who insisted on punching my arm every time her team scored.
Having heard rumours that Derick would not be playing I was momentarily confused into thinking Andy Saull was playing outside half before I realised Derick had made a miraculous recovery but was wearing a head bandage. Sarries started strongly, dominating possession and attacking at every opportunity with ball in hand, which was to become the pattern for much of the game. Sadly, unforced errors were also part of this pattern; first Derick missed a penalty from 30 metres directly in front of the posts (it really was a ‘mortgage’ kick) and then Goode after some sublime footwork that saw him ghost through the Clermont defence untouched somehow failed to ground the ball over the line. I confess I don’t know exactly what happened as I, along with my fellow Sarries fans, was already celebrating the ‘try’. Sadly, from our high eerie I was unable to see the video screen so I’m still none the wiser.
Clermont’s first chance came from a penalty just inside Sarries half which Parra pulled wide and as we breathed a sigh of relief the resulting 22m drop out sailed over Vyvyan’s head straight to Jamie Cudmore who strolled in for the game’s first try. It was somewhat reminiscent of the Prem final and Scott Hamilton – Parra rubbed salt into the wounds by converting. This was Cudmore’s first major contribution to the game; his second was to receive a 10 minute rest for what the referee indicated was a punch. The reaction of Saull and the coaching staff suggested it had been a stamp and they clearly thought it was worthy of more severe sanction.
Sarries finally got on the board with a successful penalty from Hougaard, but there were warning signs that Saracens were not fully focused on the game in what became an increasingly tempestuous affair. Saull seemed particularly distracted by some of the things taking place.
Clermont then showed their class and how simple rugby can be. On their second visit into the Sarries 22 they created acres of space, whilst still a man down, to send Malzieu in for
another try. The kick was missed and Sarries went back on the offensive, pinning Clermont deep in their own 22 but could not get across the try line due to a combination of outstanding defence and a lack of clinical creativity. Sarries had a chance to reduce the arrears on the stroke of half time when Zirakashvili was sent to the sin bin for a cynical offside. Once again though, Hougaard missed the sort of kick he’s been slotting over for fun in recent weeks.
Half time, Clermont 12 – 3 Saracens
Sarries started the second half as they did the first – real purpose and moving the ball quickly through hands. This led to a chance for the excellent Wyles to break down the left wing. Having beaten two defenders he then showed great awareness and composure to pass back inside to Strettle for an easy run in - Hougaard added the extras and Sarries were right back in it at 12 – 10. However, yet another error from the kick off gave Parra the chance to extend the lead with a penalty goal that he slotted easily. Sarries continued to work with the ball but too often players were left isolated resulting in clearing penalties for Clermont. As the game wore on it looked as if players were trying too hard to make things happen themselves rather than concentrating on working as a team. It’s hard to single any one player as there seemed to be so many errors, but I felt that Goode was troubled by his early miss for the remainder of the game. He compounded this by conceding a penalty in failing to collect a high ball and colliding with two other Sarries players. Parra’s second successful penalty left the score at 18 – 10 and Sarries desperately trying to secure at least a losing bonus point. Hougaard missed another late penalty from near halfway before Sarries gifted Clermont their third try on the final whistle.
Trying to play from deep in their own 22, Ratuvou threw a pass behind everyone allowing Nalaga to score in the corner. Actually, I’m not quite sure how the ball was ‘dotted’ down as it wasn’t possible to see this part of the pitch from our birds nest seat. I did, however, see Parra slot the conversion for a final score of 25 – 10. General opinion around me, from both sides, was that Sarries played well and the scoreline did not reflect the game. However, I was left with the feeling that Sarries had been given a real lesson in how to play at the top club level and they still have a long way to go to compete there. They made far too many errors; many unforced, and gifted two tries. A combination of not thinking clearly at vital times and these errors led to rugby suicide. Clermont won comfortably, yet didn’t do a great deal. That said their defence was outstanding over sustained periods, so hats off to them.
Post match was every bit as good, if not better, then pre match. The hospitality seemingly knew no bounds and I am now the proud owner of a Clermont shirt, two scarves, a flag, a hat and a keyring. I was also the owner of a severe hangover on Sunday morning! My final thought on Clermont - a ‘must’ for any rugby fan.
There is one more thing to add however. Having finally made it back to my hotel and just settling into bed, the fire alarm went off. In true British style I let it ring for a bit before finally getting up to see what was wrong. Further investigation revealed it wasn’t the fire alarm but the alarm from the lift. It had apparently become stuck with several people
inside. I woke the nigh porter who duly called the fire brigade and they arrived about 5 mins later. I had already established that the ‘captives’ were English and was not surprised to see that they were wearing Saracens shirts when finally released. There were six of them but they seemed most concerned that the lift should fail when it was designed for 8 people. Perhaps it wasn’t designed for 8 former props/second rows though – you know who you are!
Clermont Auvergne: Floch; Nalaga, Rougerie (capt), Joubert (Williams, 67), Malzieu; James, Parra; Domingo, Paulo (Ledesma, 51), Zirakashvili (Scelzo, 76), Cudmore, Privat (White, 59), Bonnaire, Lapandry, Lauaki (Vermuelen, 64).
Tries Cudmore, Malzieu, Nalaga Cons Parra 2 Pens Parra 2.
Sin-bin Cudmore 21, Zirakashvili 40.
Saracens: Goode; Strettle, Powell (Ratuvou, 62), Barritt, Wyles; Hougaard, Wigglesworth (De Kock, 49); Carstens, Brits, Nieto, Borthwick (capt), Vyvyan (Botha, 51), Burger, Saull (Joubert, 51), Brown.
Try Strettle Con Hougaard Pen Hougaard.
Referee P Allan (Scotland). Attendance 16,007.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2010:11:02:12:18:36 by TonyTaff.
The Goode try that wasn't - Brock James got over him as he was going for the line and knocked the ball out of Alex's grasp. No doubt about it - it wasn't a try - but really deserved to be.
The Nalaga try - from one angle it looked as if he hadn't grounded it - certainly first touch was short and then the follow up might not have been over the line. In the end it (probably!) doesn't matter.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:10:12:17:51:57 by saracens4life.
I am not sure how street-wise Rougerie's trip on Derrick was he was lucky to avoid a sanction
Surprised you could remember so much following the partying after the game.
