Clermont sneak past La Rochelle
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Clermont notched up their first win of this French Top14 season after edging La Rochelle 23-22 in round 3.
Clermont kicked an early penalty, but two La Rochelle shots at goal followed to give them a 6-3 lead. Clermont responded with the first try of the match midway through the first half to hit the front 10-6.
La Rochelle missed a long range penalty around the half hour mark, but were on target shortly after to trail 10-9.
The sides then traded late first half penalties as Clermont took a 13-12 lead into the break. Clermont got off to the perfect start in the second half, with a try two minutes in extending their advantage out to 20-12.
La Rochelle pulled three points back with a penalty with around half an hour remaining. Both sides were then off target off the kicking tee, as it remained 20-15 heading into the final quarter. A tense final twenty minutes followed, with Clermont sealing victory with a penalty with just seconds left on the clock.
Clermont pushed for a late bonus point try, but an intercept score allowed La Rochelle to snatch a losing bonus point.
