Clermont crush Montauban
Clermont kept alive their Heineken Cup hopes with a comprehensive 43-10 win over fellow French side Montauban.
Last Updated: 16/01/09 11:00pm
Clermont kept alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup with a comprehensive 43-10 win over Montauban.
The Pool One clash between the two French sides at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin turned into a seven-try rout.
Pierre Mignoni scored twice to help secure an impressive bonus-point victory that pushes them to 13 points in the competition.
However, with Munster securing top spot by truimphing over Sale at Thormond Park, Clermont are now set to miss out on a place in the knockout stages.
Knowing tries were the order of the day they managed to score four inside the opening 50 minutes, though they had only led 15-3 at half time.
Julien Malzieu grabbed the first thanks to a long pass from Brock James that allowed the winger to break the deadlock inside the first minute.
Inspirational James
James was at the origin of Clermont's second on twelve minutes, taking the ball up centre field that resulted in lock Loïc Jacquet rounding off a fluid move.
Scrum-half Mignoni scored the first of his brace when he dived over in the corner as Montauban's weakened team were put to the sword.
The all-important fourth try came from loose forward Alexandre Audebert shortly after the re-start, the result now already certain.
James was again involved in creating Mignoni's second and then shortly after replacement prop Thomas Domingo made it a half-dozen for the hosts.
It became a magnificent seven when John Senio crashed over after 72 minutes though it was the visitors who had the last word.
Having only managed a penalty from Petre Mitu in the opening half, Montauban picked up a consolation score through replacement Yohan Dalla Riva, though by the final whistle neither team had much to celebrate.
