Bristol Bears and Clermont faced off for the first time in the European Challenge Cup and it was the away side who prevailed, holding on for a 33-26 in an entertaining last 16 tie.
Tries from Tomas Lavanini, a Damian Penaud brace and George Moala helped get Clermont over the line as well as three penalties from the boot of Anthony Belleau as the visitors made it through to the quarter-finals.
Bristol played their part crossing through Harry Randall, Semi Radradra but were left to rue poor errors and missed chances, including right at the death as they exited the Challenge Cup, while there will be concern over their Fijian superstar who injured his hamstring while crossing for his try.
Radradra didn't emerge for the second half as the Bears went try-less, unable to breakthrough a powerful Clermont side who advanced to the quarter-finals.
There remain three games in the Premiership for Pat Lam’s side to salvage their season but in reality the top four hopes look faint and defeat in the competition they won in 2020 leaves the Bristol faithful with little to celebrate in 2023.
The opening 15 minutes were subdued with both sides making one or two errors before the sides traded penalties through MacGinty and Belleau to leave the score at 3-3.
MacGinty restored Bristol’s lead moments later but it was Clermont who scored the first try as after Etienne Fourcade was held up over the line, the French side came back and Lavanini powered his way over the line to give the visitors the lead .
Christophe Urios’ men sensed momentum was going their way and they took advantage with Penaud, fresh off a superb Six Nations, showing his quality to smash through a gap and then show great footwork to go over for Clermont’s second.
The game changed again though when Fritz Lee was sent to the bin for a dangerous tackle on Jimmy Williams and the Bears made the extra man count immediately with Randall sniping over to reduce the deficit to 17-13.
The last couple minutes of the half were chaotic. First Jimmy Williams was the hero with a brilliant run through centrefield to set up Radradra for a try, the Fijian grabbing his hamstring immediately after touching down. But Bristol undid their good work immediately, Magnus Bradbury spilling the kick off and Clermont pounced, Moala crossing the line to give them a 22-20 advantage going into half-time.
Clermont extended their lead through the boot of Belleau moments after half-time before MacGinty made it a two-point game five minutes later, following a scrum penalty.
Williams had the chance to restore Bristol’s lead but his kick drifted wide and after he slipped high on a tackle, Belleau punished the centre to give Auvergne a 28-23 lead with just over 25 minutes remaining on the clock.
The game stifled afterwards but the telling moment came 10 minutes before time as Siva Naulagoa had a howler, with Penaud showing great initiative to dive on the ball just before the dead-ball line to get his second and all but end the contest.
MacGinty kicked three points to set up a grandstand finish and despite going very close the Bears couldn’t find the right pass and Clermont defended stoutly for a big away victory.
