Nagusa double sparks Clermont defeat

Two tries from Fijian wing Timoci Nagusa inspired last season's French title finalists Montpellier to a thrilling 29-23 victory over 2010 champions Clermont on Saturday. Montpellier kicker Benoit Paillaugue contributed all the other 19 points and evoked memories of the winners' form last season which they have found tough to replicate this term. However, if they win their game in hand on Wednesday they will be firmly back in the reckoning for a top six play-off spot. Clermont's defeat wasn't too damaging as champions and table toppers Toulouse were surprisingly held to a 9-9 draw away at Brive. Montpellier edged into an early lead with Paillaugue landing two penalties, though David Skrela replied with one to reduce the hosts' lead to 6-3 after 20 minutes. Skrela levelled the scores five minutes later after Montpellier's Argentinian fullback Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino was penalised for not releasing the ball after he had initially dropped the ball and then regathered it. However, he was swamped by Clermont attackers and preferred to concede the penalty than give the ball up to his opponents. Montpellier, though, regained the lead just after the half hour mark with the first try of the match. Trinh-Duc was the creator as his delightful grubber kick into Clermont's try area was missed by the first Montpellier attacker but Nagusa made no mistake to touch the ball down for his second try of the season. Paillaugue converted to make it 13-6 prompting Clermont coach Vern Cotter to send on Morgan Parra but it was the hosts who extended their lead thanks to another penalty by the Montpellier place kicker. Clermont got right back into the match with a try by Portuguese international Julien Bardy, set up effectively by Julien Malzieu's break deep into Montpellier territory which was then worked back and passed through five pairs of hands before the Clermont flanker went over - Skrela converted to make it 16-13. The hosts breathed a little easier as Paillaugue added another penalty to make it 19-13 and soon afterwards it was 22-13 as the Montpellier metronome slotted over another penalty. Montpellier pulled out of sight with a stunning individual try by the electrifying Nagusa with 20 minutes remaining - Paillaugue converted to make it 29-13. Parra, though, went over in the corner after being set up by fellow France team-mate Julien Bonnaire and then added a superb conversion from the touchline and with three minutes remaining Parra slotted a penalty to take them to within a converted try of a remarkable comeback win. Toulouse and Brive had a much calmer first-half than their rivals with just two penalties from former France fly-half Lionel Beauxis separating them at the break. Beauxis added a third shortly after the restart but three penalties from Julien Caminati grabbed Brive a surprising share of the spoils.