Brock James 2013

 

Clermont made to sweat but start with win

17 August 2013

Clermont were made to work in their first Top 14 clash of the new season but ultimately took home the points with a 22-18 success at Biarritz.

New Zealand international centre Regan King crossed the tryline for the visitors while Australian fly-half Brock James kicked 17 points.

Biarritz scored tries through scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili and young winger Teddy Thomas but had to content themselves with a defensive bonus point for keeping the score to within seven points.

While Clermont might have been hoping for a more dominant display, they can at least be satisfied that they have stolen a march on one of their main title rivals as European champions Toulon were held to a 22-22 draw at Montpellier on Friday night.

In an entertaining game, played under brilliant sunshine in the Basque Country, Clermont appeared well in control at the break following King's converted score and three James' penalties.

But veteran former France half-back Yachvili brought Biarritz right back into the match with an interception try on the hour mark.

James knocked over two more penalties to put daylight between the title favourites and their hosts but a brilliant try from Thomas at the death, begun with a clever break by Yachvili on the opposite side of the field, ensured Biarritz did not end up empty-handed.