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Castres Olympique qualify for the Shield final with a +27 points difference.
Castres Olympique became the first side to qualify for the PARKER PEN SHIELD final, despite a narrow defeat on the night to fellow French side Pau.
The home fans were treated to a scintillating start, with the Pau pack driving on, prop Marius Tinku scored after six, then thirteen minutes. Both were converted by outside half David Aucagne.
With the score at 14-0, it seemed possible that Pau could claw back the 29-point deficit form the first leg.
But Castres responded with a try from wing Laurent Arbo, after 19 minutes converted by Romain Teulet, and with that score, Castres grew in confidence and the result was never in doubt.
Teulet scored a penalty goal after 25 minutes, and the final score of the first period came from Pau - an unconverted Garrick Morgan try after 34 minutes, to take the half-time score to 19-10 to Pau.
Just three minutes into the second period, Teulet scored his second penalty goal of the evening.
And the 3000 fans then had to wait nearly half an hour for the next score of a tight second period. Pau's replacement outside half Martin Pearson converted his own try to give the home support some cheer.
But Castres responded with two late penalty goal from Matieu Sans to take the final score to 26-24 to Pau.
A jubilant Castres coach Christian Gajan said: "After a difficult season, it is hugely satisfying to get to the final of the PARKER PEN CHALLENGE CUP. I think we have shown that we honoured the competition from the way we have attacked all our games."
Pau: Tries - M Tincu 2, G Morgan, M Pearson; Cons - D Aucagne 3.
Castres Olympique: Tries - L Arbo, D Barrier; Pens - R Teulet 2, M Sans 2; Con - R Teulet.
Yellow card: N Nadau (Castres 75)
Castres Olympique qualify for the Shield final with a +27 points difference.
1st leg: CASTRES OLYMPIQUE 54 PAU 25
HT: 13-20. Attendance: 2,000
