A record attendance Wednesday evening for the visit of European champions Stade Toulouse,
14,284, fantastic!!

Montpellier after victories at home to Racing and away to Perpignan, could not wait to test their skills against the mighty Toulouse, the Gentle Giant and the General (Bechu,Galthie) had fielded probably the best side on paper with a reasonably strong bench, which looked good until you glanced at the Toulouse bench which was littered with Internationals, Guy Noves had not come to Montpellier looking for a defensive bonus point, he was looking for a win!!

The Blue and Whites entered into the match full of concentration using all their skills possible, continually running the ball at the all white Toulousans but their defence, was built of steel and Montpellier could not find a way through.

Penalties were shared by Martin Bustos-Moyano, who was playing his first home game for his new club and the young Nico Bezy playing tonight at No10, after 12 mins. 3-3. Montpellier were being penalised a little too often by the man in the middle, and Bezy added another couple of penalties, squeezing Toulouse into a 9-3 lead.

Francois Trinh-Duc started another attack throwing a missed pass which was grabbed on the finger tips by the Toulouse winger Delasau who then left everybody for dead scoring under the sticks; Bezy converted, 16-6 to the visitors. Bustos-Moyano added a massive 50mts plus, penalty just before half time and the break came with Toulouse having their noses in front 16-9.
The second half started and Montpellier once again came out fighting wave after wave of attacks, the ref blew for a penalty and once again the new boy on the block Bustos-Moyano stepped up to make the deficit just 4 points.

Timmy Nagusa then collected a ball well inside his own 22, and started off at a gallop, cut inside and Captain Fantastic, Fulgence Ouedraogo, made a searing breaking with a horrendous hand off, slipped the ball to Doumayrou who did just enough before giving the perfect ball to Bustos-Moyano, the rest is history, scampering under the posts to convert his own try and Montpellier were in front 19 -16. The crowd was in fantastic voice, and the noise nearly deafening, as they willed their side to victory, another penalty in the 50th min by you known who, and now Montpellier had their tails up and were not going to throw this lead away.

Defence was the order of the day as Toulouse crammed the field with more and more Internationals, but Montpellier held out, the supporters were screaming for the siren to end the game, and finally it came, but  a scrum was called by the Ref.

Twice the scrum folded and twice the ref said “re-scrum” Kelleher, fed the ball to Bezy who saw the gap and was unstoppable, 22-21 to Montpellier, the conversion to follow and a game lost in the dying minutes by Montpellier, a disaster!!

Is there a Rugby God? Up stepped Bezy and his effort went just wide, victory for Montpellier, a match they did not deserve to loose, and they did not. This victory was carved out of steel, blood and guts were left in every corner of the park by every player, putting his body on the line for the cause, this was  a victory for the squad not just a team, the efforts of 3 months of pure dedication were showing and a new Montpellier was being created.

Man of the Match, all of them in Blue and White, consolidation, team spirit, and loads of guts plus a little luck, BRAVO.

Steve Whittell.

SW.What a finish to a great game, that’s called getting out of jail free.

MBM. We played well, although we did make a few mistakes but in the end we were the better side and deserved our victory even if we were a little lucky in the end.

SW. What did you think to the atmosphere in the stadium for your first home match of your new club Montpellier?

MBM. Fantastic the noise was incredible I have some friends in the stands from Argentina and I wonder just what are they thinking, it’s all just incredible! I am a very happy man tonight.

SW. All 22 points tonight, not a bad start for your new club?

MBM. Okay I scored all the points, but the work was done by everyone on the park, they got us into the positions for me to kick the penalties and the try well just a very proud moment for me to be part of this fantastic team full of young classy players but what a try!!

SW. You are enjoying your new club?

MBM. The town is great, my team mates have made me very welcome, this is a great young team and I am just happy to be a part of it, all the staff and coaches have been really good to me and this is just great I am a very happy man tonight.

SW. Cheers Martin go join the boys and your friends, there is some celebrating to be done tonight. I think Martin is happy.

Steve Whittell.