Carter grabs first Racing try, Clermont hit historic slump
All Blacks superstar Dan Carter scored his first try for Racing 92 in a 26-3 French Top 14 triumph over Oyonnax on Saturday as crisis-hit Clermont suffered an historic third consecutive home defeat. Carter, the world record international points scorer, was in inspirational form, grabbing the third of his team's four tries to help them maintain their unbeaten home run this season. It was also their first bonus point win of the Top 14 campaign. World Player of the Year Carter, who also popped over three conversions, crossed for his maiden try in the 55th minute. French flanker Yannick Nyanga won turnover ball before South African full-back Johan Goosen released Carter with a clever kick which allowed the New Zealander to score from close range. Centre Henry Chavancy, playing his 200th club match, had scored Racing's first try after 17 minutes before Argentine winger Juan Imhoff grabbed the second 10 minutes later. Nyanga secured the bonus point in the 76th minute with Racing's fourth try. Racing's backs coach Laurent Labit said the result was a perfect boost ahead of the break for the Six Nations which starts next weekend. "We won with a bonus point. It's a great satisfaction," said Labit. Racing were replaced at the top by the end of the day by Toulouse who stormed to an eight-try 54-3 rout of Pau, wrapping up a winning bonus point inside the first 25 minutes. In a boost for France coach Guy Noves, three of his Six Nations squad were on the scoresheet -- Sebastien Bezy and Maxime Medard grabbed two tries each while Gael Fickou helped himself to another. "It was good to react like this with a win and bonus point after our European Cup defeats," said Toulouse coach Ugo Mola. Clermont's 19-15 loss to Montpellier was a fourth home defeat of the season at their once formidable Stade Marcel Michelin fortress. - Three successive home losses - The setback also represented the first time they have ever lost three games in a row at home. "We are having a tough time," admitted Clermont coach Franck Azema. "We suffered in the game but we had our chances to come back. "We need to rediscover our appetite and recharge physically and mentally." Clermont skipper Aurelien Rougerie said that despite the loss, he was proud of his team's performance coming after last weekend's 37-28 home defeat to Bordeaux which ended their European Cup campaign. "Last week I was frustrated and ashamed by our defeat," said Rougerie. "Today, the shame has disappeared. I cannot fault the guys. There is just a lack of confidence but we must continue working and it will come." Montpellier dominated the first half against an insipid home side, but they had to wait until five minutes from half-time for their first try. Winger Marvin O'Connor, who earned a call-up into the France squad for the Six Nations last week, blasted over at the end of a superb drive from midfield. That made it 16-3 at half-time for Jake White's Montpellier side. But it was a different story when play resumed with Clermont in the ascendency and Montpellier distinctly on the back foot. Two penalties from fly-half Camille Lopez and his replacement Brock James narrowed the margin and it got worse for Montpellier when South African hooker Bismark Du Plessis was yellow-carded after a succession of penalties. Clermont were parked on the Montpellier line, but had to settle for another James penalty and were rocked just minutes later as a huge drop goal from Demetri Catrakilis left Clermont needing a converted try to level the scores. James struck his third and his side's fifth penalty of the match with 10 minutes to go, but Montpellier held firm after that with a dogged defence winning the points for them. Sunday sees European champions Toulon take on Top 14 champions Stade Francais.
