Clermont snap Leinster streak

9 December 2012 19:35

Leinster saw their 17-match unbeaten streak in the Heineken Cup ended by Clermont Auvergne on Sunday.

A thrilling encounter in France saw Clermont claim a slender 15-12 victory, with the boot of Morgan Parra (12 points) crucial in the win.

Leinster – who last lost in the Heineken Cup to Clermont in December 2010 – matched their opponents in the early stages.

Jonathan Sexton, making his 100th appearance for Leinster in the match, matched Parra's early kicking with the scores locked at 9-9 but a late surge saw the winners lead 15-9 at the break.

And despite Sexton kicking truly once in the second half, the French side – who have not lost at home in 50 matches – held on for victory to go top of Pool 5, unbeaten in their opening three outings.

Elsewhere, Leicester Tigers record a 33-25 victory against winless Treviso in Pool 2.

Leicester set up the win with a terrific first half in which they scored four tries, with Julian Salvi crossing for two of them.

Holding a 26-7 lead at the break, the winners faded in the second half and allowed Treviso to put some respectability on the scoreboard before Matt Smith's try gave them a bonus-point victory.

And Montpellier moved to second place in Pool 6 with a 35-24 win in Cardiff over the Blues.

Yoan Audrin, Mamuka Gorgodze and Timoci Nagusa scored tries for the visitors, and Benoit Paillaugue added six penalties and a conversion, while the home side had the boot of Rhys Patchell to thank for their entire score.