16.30 Saturday afternoon Montpellier had crashed from 10th position in the TOP 14 to 12th, so playing last with a 20.45 kick off they knew exactly what they had to do, a small advantage yet a massive task as Racing Metro also needed the points for their end of season play off position.

Racing had all their stars on show and of course Mr Chabal is an excellent crowd puller, so the Stadium Yves du Manoir was nearly full to capacity just over 12000, which is excellent in every sense.
Montpellier had not revealed their starting XV until just before the kick off, which was a different approach and there were one or two surprises, but the coaches had done their homework well and the team looked very solid from all angles.
The match started reasonably well for both teams but it was obvious from the start that the Parisians were going to play kick and chase, using the massive boot of Springbok Francois Steyn, and an excellent chase which put Montpellier under large amounts of pressure.

A first attack down the wing nearly resulted in the first try for Racing , but was saved by a spine shuddering tackle from Seb Kuzbik, the Ref did go to the video but the answer was no!! Montpellier then had their try refused after an interception by a Trinh-Duc in great form, Benny Thiery followed the chip kick by Francois and dived over, but the video Ref once again said no!!

Penalties were exchanged and at the break Racing had sneaked their noses in front 9-6.

The second half Montpellier came at Racing with all the intentions of winning this game, time and time again they made breaks from Benny Thiery, Massi Matadigo Ollie Smith who was playing like a man possessed, but each time the Racing defence held out, then disaster, a break by Fillol who served Bobo on a plate and the winger outran everybody to score under the uprights, and of course converted by Steyn 19-12 to Racing with only10minutes left on the clock, which was also having it’s own problems.

The hearts of every Montpellier player had not stopped beating, and they threw a last assault on their opponents try line, pick and go, catch and drive, legs pumping and then the hole appeared, Eugene Van Staden crashed over with the whole pack hanging onto his rump!!!

The Ninja added the points 19-19, only minutes left, but that did not deter Les Bleu et Blanc’s, again they attacked, this was heart attack rugby, the crowd going wild and screaming for the victory, anther attack and the Parisian forwards infringed yet again, PENALTY to Montpellier from 40 yards, situations like this need a cool head and the iced Ninja strolled up and smacked the ball straight through the sticks. Final score Montpellier 22 Racing Metro 19.

Hooter goes, Montpellier win, and yes what a celebration, no this was not the World Cup final, but it could have been, curiousely the Oscars are this Sunday evening in Los Angeles, if Montpellier had been nominated they would have won hands down in the Drama class.

A magnificent performance by the whole team, forwards and backs worked together and no one shirked their duties, but a special mention to Francois Trin-Duc, Benny Thiery young Juan Figallo, Ollie Smith, his best game of the season, the front row, in fact every one present, well done guys a VICTORY from the heart, you should be all very proud of yourselves.

Next Friday, another kettle of fish, Toulouse away, but anything is possible!!!

Steve Whittell.