Clermont report of a sort

Not so much a match report than a weekend report. One of the experiences of a lifetime in St. Ettiene even if the result was not as good as we could have hoped for. It started on Friday lunchtime, braving the M25 and the traffic to get to Dover and my lift. Ferry and an overnight stop in Reims. We had an early start and a long drive to St.Ettiene.  As we entered the town an omen. There was a circus in town and there on the side of the road were two camels. We parked up, donned Sarries tops and fezzes and found a bar in the middle of town, where around a dozen Sarries fans were having a light lunch. We had seen a few Clermont fans around the centre of St.Ettiene but as we took the tram to the ground more appeared.   

Nothing could prepare us for the numbers at the ground; people in yellow and blue kept appearing the number growing and  growing, filling the space around our little group of black and red. Had the nature of the supporters been different it might have been intimidating. But it wasn’t; people kept stopping us, shaking our hands, asking to be in photos with them; bon chance, bon game. As we turned the corner into the main concourse a sea of yellow and blue was in front of us, all sizes, all ages, men women and children; all happy all singing. It was awe-inspiring. Finally working out how to get into the ground and bumping into Large and Mcnabs party on the way, we joined a long queue at gate 33. 

It was all haphazard, they  were letting in only a few at a time and as one or two individuals hopped over the barriers the crowd got impatient until almost as one, they started to pull the barriers part and swarmed to the next set of gates where you showed your tickets. Feels like Sheffield an English comment came from behind, it was a little scary. Finally after about 20 minutes wait at the gate we were into the ground itself. We stopped at the bar grabbed some beer and walked up to the seats. Then the amazing sight of the crowd in all its glory. Some of you will remember the Watford game a few years ago, but this was much, much bigger. We found out later there was 41,500 there; a record for a European crowd in France. It was jaw dropping; three side facing us, every seat filled with a yellow shirt, yellow Viking helmet, yellow hair, yellow and blue markings on their cheeks. There were a few Sarries fans in the rows behind us; another little cluster to our right and a smaller one to our right. No more than 250 all told.

The noise was deafening and the stands shook as they jumped up and down whilst the team was announced. A nice touch, the announcer said the number and Christian name, leaving the crowd to should out each surname. There was a short bit of silence where we belted out a few Sarries, Sarries and Alex for one was pleased to hear it; waving up to us. I felt sorry for the players to be honest and Nigel Wray must also have been disappointed with the numbers. The club needs to help supporters get to games like this if we can achieve parity for the players. I know we have a Milwall culture of inner strength at the club, but this was intimidation on a grand scale; worth coming to see. Very good natured, I lost count of the hands I shook, thumbs up exchanged. The Clermont supporters were genuinely pleased we made the trip. 

Finally the match and I should say I didn’t see a great deal of any Clermont moments except as replays on the big screen. Every time there was an attack, they all got to their feet leaving me with a view of yellow backsides. You all probably have more idea of the bits of the game than I did. I remember patches, the scrum was dominant, lineout poor. An early missed drop goal from Brock and then one of our own, Charlie making no mistake. The crowd were getting nervous and a great attack from Clermont. I saw from the replay on the big screen the shoulder charge from Ash putting

the winger the correct side (from Sarries point of view) of the corner flag. When it went to TMO I was a bit concerned we would see a no arms decision, yellow card and penalty try. Perhaps if Nigel Owens had been there we might have. 

Lots of kicking, pretty good from Sarries with the chase, limited chase from Clermont, who managed a penalty in range after around 20 minutes A lucky bounce off the posts levelled the score much to the delight of the concerned yellow clad supporters who by this time were getting very quiet. Sarries then won three penalties all around the same place, all just on the edge of Charlie’s range. He missed with the first, slotted the second just and on the stroke of half-time missed the third. Perhaps Bosch might have had more luck, but he likes them straight and these were on the side. Still I was happy to wander about the stadium at halftime and the jovialities of the crowd had turned to drawn faces and little shrugs. 

As the second half started Clermont went ahead with a good move. Solid attacking play and some driving rucks saw play switch close to the 22 and as the defence arrived they all came up in a line, nobody dropping back. Alex tried desperately to get across but a great chip into acres of space bounced up nicely and the 12 dived over the line. It was easy enough to convert for a 4 point lead. Sarries took some while to get back in the game, attacking slowly and methodically and a scrum penalty, easily kickable for Faz who was now on. 10-9 and could Sarries do it again. It was not to be as a good kick chase from Clermont caught us in the 22. Not sure why Billy picked and drove with little support around but he did and was isolated and turned over. An easy kick and with only 10 minutes left it seemed too far. Sarries had not looked like scoring all game, but a good mark catch from Alex which he took quickly and a big gap opened up

Perhaps if he had combined with the players to his left, but he saw a big hole to his right and kicked for it. Clermont claimed it initially, but they coughed up the ball and suddenly we were attacking. There were a couple of offsides it seemed to us, but not given and finally Clermont cleared up. They won a penalty and it was game over. The stadium had recovered its noise in the last part of the game after the gap went back to 4 points and now they had won it was back in full bouncing up and down. Lots of handshaking with those in front and to the side. The players came over to us briefly to give a clap for our support. We shouted lots but the 100/1 spectator advantage told, but when we were on top and the yellow submarine quiet some Allez les Noirs could be heard. 

The Clermont supporters were not moving from their seats, cheering and bouncing so we disappeared and got some beers at an almost empty bar. Requests for photos were coming thick and fast, hands shaken, ‘beat Toulon’ from us. We finished our beers and walked to the tram. And the fans were still sitting and cheering a good 30 minutes later, the noise still impressive. There were only a few Clermont fans staying over, but they were good company, buying us beers and Ricard. To bed late and the long drive to Calais after an early start.