Clermont edge past Racing 92

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Clermont Auvergne survived a late scare to secure their second successive win in the Top 14 following a narrow 23-21 victory over Racing 92.

Franck Azema’s men were surprisingly lacklustre before half-time, with their set-piece struggling to muster front-foot ball, but they still managed to go into the interval ahead.

In Alivereti Raka they have the league’s form winger and, after a hat-trick in Les Jaunards’ triumph over Brive last weekend, the Fijian-born player touched down for the fourth time in two games.

The 22-year-old then set-up Nick Abendanon towards the end of the first half as the hosts overcame Teddy Thomas’ try and a pair of Teddy Iribaren three-pointers to lead 14-11 at the break.

Raka departed due to an injury sustained in that score but Clermont maintained their momentum via the boot of Camille Lopez, who kicked three penalties.

However, Iribaren responded for Racing with an effort off the tee and the 2016 champions reduced the arrears further following a penalty try.

Raphael Chaume was yellow carded for his role in the score and the visitors thought they had an opportunity to snatch the win, but Auvergne held on.

The scorers:

For Clermont:
Tries: Raka, Abendanon
Cons: Lopez 2
Pens: Lopez 3
Yellow Cards: Lee, Chaume

For Racing:
Tries: Thomas, penalty try
Pens: Iribaren 3
Yellow Card: Imhoff

The teams:

Clermont: 15 Nick Abendanon, 14 Alivereti Raka, 13 Peter Betham, 12 Remi Lamerat, 11 Remy Grosso, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parr, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Judicael Cancoriet, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Raphael Chaume.
Replacements: 16 John Ulugia, 17 Beqa Kakabadze, 18 Paul Jedrasiak, 19 Peceli Yato, 20 Greig Laidlaw, 21 Patricio Fernandez, 22 Aurelien Rougerie, 23 Davit Zirakashvili.

Racing 92: 15 Juan Imhoff, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Remi Tales, 9 Teddy Iribaren, 8 Leone Nakarawa, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Baptiste Chouzenoux, 5 Manuel Carizza, 4 Boris Palu, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Viliamu Afatia.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Vasil Kakovin, 18 So’otala Fa’aso’o, 19 Wenceslas Lauret, 20 Maxime Machenaud, 21 Albert Vulivuli, 22 Louis Dupichot, 23 Cedate Gomes Sa.

Referee: Mathieu Raynal
Assistant referees: Ludovic Cayre, Patrick Pechambert
TMO: Laurent Sclafer

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