United Rugby Champions The Stormers travelled to Clermont Auvergne for their first taste of Heineken Champions Cup action.
The Cape Townians got off to a flying start as they led the French giants 14 – 3 at halftime.
Unfortunately for John Dobson’s side their second forty was simply not good enough as they leaked 22 unanswered points.
Not quite the force they have been in years gone by, Clermont’s performance was the best we have seen from them so far this season.
Leading the way was the Clermont back three of Alivereti Raka, Alez Newsome and Damian Penaud who were sublime in the second half.
Newsome got Clermont’s first try on 48 minutes before Raka went over on the 64th minute to put his side ahead for the first time.
💛 @ASMOfficiel are back in the game!
There was no stopping @AlexNewsome_11 once he spotted a gap!
ADVERTISEMENTYou can watch all the #HeinekenChampionsCup action live on @beinsports_FR, @SuperSportTV, @btsportrugby, and @FloRugby pic.twitter.com/YkucypUxYE
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022
From there a Jules Plisson drop goal pushed Clermont out to a seven-point lead before he added a penalty to rob the Stormers of a losing bonus point.
💪 Great strength from Alivereti Raka and @ASMOfficiel lead The Stormers for the first time in this #HeinekenChampionsCup clash! pic.twitter.com/SRQjmbn9Xm
— Heineken Champions Cup (@ChampionsCup) December 10, 2022
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