Super Slade denies Montpellier

Colin Slade scored all of Pau’s points in their dramatic 19-16 victory over Montpellier, while there were also Top 14 wins for Stade Français, Racing, Clermont, Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Toulon.

Slade and Montpellier scrumhalf Benoit Paillaugue landed two penalties apiece to tie the scores at 6-6, before ill-discipline by Pau propelled Jake White’s men into the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Two yellow cards in quick succession saw Montpellier exploit Pau’s defensive frailties as winger Marvin O’Connor raced down the touchline to cross for a converted effort which put his side 13-6 up.

Slade and Montpellier’s replacement kicker Demetri Catrakilis traded penalties in the second half, after hooker Bismarck du Plessis saw yellow as the hosts kept their seven-point advantage intact. But with seconds remaining, Slade took on Montpellier’s defence, beat his defender and scored the match-winning try before slotting the conversion to add insult to injury.

In other matches, Morné Steyn contributed four penalties as Stade Français beat Brive 32-17 at home, Racing defeated Grenoble 39-35 in a seven-try thriller and Clermont won 28-17 at Castres.

Elsewhere, Bordeaux outscored Agen three tries to one to claim a 24-19 victory at home, Zack Holmes nailed seven penalties and a conversion as La Rochelle stunned title contenders Toulouse 28-8, while Toulon wrapped up the weekend with a five-try 44-13 demolition of Oyonnax.

Round 14 results:

Montpellier 16 Pau 19
Stade Français 32 Brive 17
Grenoble 35 Racing 39
Castres 17 Clermont 28
Bordeaux 24 Agen 19
La Rochelle 28 Toulouse 8
Oyonnax 13 Toulon 44

Photo: Sylvain Thomas/Getty Images

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