England fly-half Andy Goode, desperate to stake his autumn international claims in the face of stiff opposition from rejuvented, fellow French exile Jonny Wilkinson, endured an anxious conclusion to Brive's 11-9 win over Castres Friday.
Goode kicked a first-half penalty and a drop goal to help his side to a 6-3 interval lead in the French Top 14 fixture before backrow forward Vincent Forgues scored the game's only try early in the second half for a 11-3 lead.
Castres full-back Romain Teulet reduced the deficit with two penalties of his own before Goode missed a drop goal attempt as well as two penalty kicks in the last 15 minutes, forcing his teammates to hang on grimly for the victory.
In Friday's second match, bottom clun Albi won their first game of the season at the seventh attempt, beating Bayonne 19-14.
Copyright 2009 AFP Global Edition
