Clermont snap Grenoble's home winning stretch

PARIS (AFP) –

Grenoble’s fly-half Jonathan Pelissie (L) runs with the ball during their French Top 14 rugby union match against Clermont on February 23, 2013 at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble. Clermont snapped Grenoble’s home-winning streak of 25 games with a hard-fought 17-10 victory in Top 14 action.

Clermont snapped Grenoble’s home-winning streak of 25 games with a hard-fought 17-10 victory in Top 14 action on Saturday.

Despite missing a host of players away on international duty for the Six Nations, Clermont’s visit nonetheless attracted a 20,000-strong crowd in cold, snowy conditions.

Clermont, themselves also holders of an admirable home record, scored two tries either side of half-time through wingers Napolioni Nalaga and former All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu, fly-half David Skrela converting both and hitting a penalty.

Grenoble’s sole try came from replacement Jonathan Pelissie, his five-pointer too late in the game to change the outcome.

The result left Clermont just three points adrift of leaders Toulon, who lost 25-20 to Castres on Friday, and sees Grenoble sitting three points off sixth place, with the top six going through to the end-of-season play-offs.

Toulouse consolidated their third spot with a convincing 42-6 win at home over Bayonne.

Fifth-placed Montpellier sealed what could be a crucial 15-13 victory over Bordeaux-Begles, while Racing-Metro also notched up a valuable 23-11 win over Biarritz.

Bottom-placed Mont-de-Marsan went down 9-3 away to Agen.