Bristol all but out after agonising loss at Clermont

2 weeks ago 19

Investec Champions Cup Pool 2

Clermont Auvergne 33 (12)

Tries: Newsome, Raka 2, penalty, Ceyte Cons: Belleau 2, Urdapilleta

Bristol 26 (0)

Tries: Penalty, Luatua, Heward, Marmion Cons: Byrne 2

Bristol are all but out of the Champions Cup after Clermont Auvergne snatched a dramatic 33-26 victory in the sixth minute of overtime.

Pat Lam's side had fought back superbly to draw level in a breathtaking second half but Thomas Ceyte forced his way over to deny the visitors a hard-earned draw.

Bristol earned two bonus points but are bottom of Pool 2 having only won one of their four matches.

They will almost certainly miss out on one of the four qualifying places for the last 16, unless both Bath and Benetton suffer big defeats in their matches later on Saturday.

Clermont Auvergne: Newsome; Delguy, Belaubre, Simone, Raka; Belleau, Jauneau; Lotrian, Fainga'a, Ala'Alatoa, Simmons, Yato, Tixeront, Kremer, Lee (capt).

Replacements: Falgoux, Massa, Ojovan, Ceyte, Fischer, Bezy, Urdapilleta, Tauzin.

Bristol Bears: Lane; Heward, Jenkins, Van Rensburg, Bailey; Byrne, Randall; Genge, Oghre, Kloska, Dun, Owen, Luatua, Grondona, Harding (capt).

Replacements: Thacker, Thomas, Lahiff, Barker, Mata, Marmion, Ravouvou, Elizalde.

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Sco)

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