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Clermont drown Biarritz`s hopes

Friday 09th May 2008

Imanol Harinordoquy was a

Clermont assured their place in the Top 14 semi-finals with hard fought 16-11 over Biarritz at Stade Aguiléra on Friday.

Clermont had never won in Biarritz but, one week after their shocking loss to Castres, the Top 14 leaders were back in business.

Against a Biarritz team full of self doubt and obliged to win to keep their semi-final hopes alive, Clermont managed to cash-in on their opportunities to become only the second team to win in Biarritz this year.

Clermont have not lost two games in row in two years and their performce confirms that they are capable of winning where ever, when ever, how ever. In stark contrast to Clermont other victories this year, they were forced to grind out a less-than-flamboyant win in rainy weather against the best defence in France.

Biarritz have conceded only nine points in their last four home games but Clermont managed to score a try after just seven minutes when South African centre Marius Joubert dived onto the ball after it had rebounded of the posts.

The rest was left to the Top 14 leading points scorer as Brock James scored the rest of the visitors points.

A bonus point for losing by less than seven will be scant consolation for BO who will rue their poor kicking game.

Despite have all the possession they needed in the second-half, the Basques were unable to convert there chances into points. Poor finishing has been their Achilles heal all season, and it has no doubt denied them of a place in the semi-finals.

Biarritz scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili had a horrid night, missing a couple of place-kicks and squabbling all night with his opposite number Pierre Mignoni. The two French internationals eventually came to blows and sparked a bunch- up that somehow didn't see anyone leave the field.

Yachvili did however contribute the cross field kick that saw Zimbabwean born American Takudzwa Ngwenya score the hosts only try just before half-time.

The Clermont back three of Benoit Baby, Aurélien Rougerie and Napoliani Nalaga all had good games as well as Baby's replacement Anthony Floch, who found space to run in as soon as he came on.

Mignoni, for his all his efforts, which were sometimes ferocious, left the field with what looked like a torn hamstring, his presence will be sorely missed.

After three consecutive losses Biarritz must now lift themselves if they are to maintain their spot in the Heineken Cup.

As for Clermont, after recording their eighth win away from home, the Jaunards look set to finish the season at the top of the table.

The Scorers

For Clermont:
Try: Joubert
Con:James
Pens: James 3

For Biarritz:
Try: Ngwenya
Cons:
Pens: Yachvili, Dupuy

Man of the match: He might have been on the losing side but French international loose forward Imanol Harinordoquy had a huge game for Biarritz, making his presence felt all over the park.

Moment of the match: Joubert's try early on in the match was a bad sign for a Biarritz team that rely almost exclusively on their defence.

Villain of the match: Yachvili and Mignoni share the shame.