Montpellier started their European campaign last season when they beat Toulon with the attacking bonus point on the last day of the season to qualify for this year’s H Cup.

Since their entry into this elite competition for the first time in the clubs history, they have managed two draws against Leinster and Glasgow at home, and loses to Bath and Glasgow away, but still that first victory has eluded the 1st XV of Montpellier, well that is now history!!

Saturday afternoon a beautiful sunny but cold winter’s day, saw Montpellier take on the powerful team of Bath an English club steeped in history with Premiership titles that any club would be proud of, could Montpellier obtain their first H Cup victory.

Montpellier had rested several of its main characters but nevertheless fielded a side that was more than capable of producing the goods.

The match started with perfection for Montpellier a slick move that saw the youngster Pierre Berard use his speed and power to accelerate, and finish off the move with a neat dive under the posts, Benoit Paillaugue added the extras, Montpellier 7 Bath 0.

Bath were soon on the scoreboard with an Ollie Barclay penalty and then just before the half time siren while Montpellier were down to 14, after a yellow for Jimmy Nagusa, Bath’s second row Ryan Caldwell crossed into the hallowed ground for a try which was converted by Ollie Barclay, the teams went into the break with Bath just having their noses in front 7-10.

 The second half saw the return of yellow carded Jimmy Nagusa and Benoit Paillaugue added a penalty to level the scores at 10 apiece. Then it was the turn of Bath to be reduced to 14 after David Wilson was given a 10 minute cooling off period for his sides repeated infringements. The numbers being to the advantage of Montpellier, but it was Bath who got themselves onto the scoreboard with Ryan Caldwell getting himself a double after some serious pressure from the South Westerners of England, Tom Heathcote converted and Bath were 10-17 ahead.

 In the 67th min. Alex Tulou somehow broke through the pack of both forwards and gave himself a clear run under the sticks and became the club’s leading try scorer on 5 tries with his try converted by Benoit Paillaugue Montpellier were back on level terms at 17 all.

The game continued to be fast and furious with both sides attacking at every possible moment, Matt Banahan the England wing; centre was the next over the line after 71 mins. but this time Tom Heathcote missed the conversion and Bath had their noses in front by 17-22. with only 8 mins. remaining Montpellier took hold of the match and attacked the Bath try line but were repeatedly stopped just short, by a Bath defence that tackled courageously putting their bodies on the line with little concern. 

80 mins. passed and the siren sounded but Montpellier still had possession so the match continued, a neat kick by Julien Tomas from the back of a ruck saw Jimmy Nagusa collect the ball and scamper down his wing  to go over into the area of paradise , but with the conversion needed to win the game he had the audacity to beat two Bath players behind the goal line and plant the pigskin firmly under the sticks making the conversion a mere formality for Martin Bustos Moyano, this he did and Montpellier recorded their first ever H Cup victory, not only did the players show their extreme jubilation by throwing Jimmy high into the air but the crowd of 10,106 were on their feet in exultation!!!

The truth came out shortly after the final whistle when Jimmy exclaimed his lose of the club’s leading try scorer and was so annoyed he had to get back level with Alex Tulou in the try scoring stakes, a job well done and once again these two magnificent South Sea Islanders are level on 5 tries apiece.

 A match full of excitement played at break neck speed and with the total commitment from both teams, there has to be looser but Bath can return to England with pride and they gave an excellent showing.

Montpellier however produced another display with their forwards once again on top form, the seasons continues but the Montpellier pack progresses every game  and are becoming a ball winning pack of Wolves ready to scavenge anything in sight, and the backs are not too shabby either. All the players are to be felicitated, but Alex Tulou, Jean-Baptiste Peyras and Joseph Tuineau were on their best form and showed exactly what they are capable off.

Next week the team are off to Ireland to take on the reigning H Cup Champions Leinster in Dublin in the last pool game of this season’s H Cup, another game, another challenge for this exciting team of youngsters, well most of them!!

 

Steve Whittell.