Montpellier returned to the Top 6 by winning (17-12) at the expense of Racing 92, on Sunday at the end of the 15th day of the Top 14, after a fast paced and undecided match up to the last second.
The Montpellier residents showed more realism and accuracy in scoring in the center of each period, two tries from their internationals Paul Willemse (25th) and Anthony Bouthier (60th). The MHR, connected to alternating current, reacted well a week after the fall of Bordeaux-Bègles (40-10) and recovered to sixth place in a very tight Top 14. The French champion, disturbed behind the scenes by various tensions, reassured himself a little before facing a fundamental match of the Champions Cup on the Welsh Ospreys lawn on Saturday.
Racing recovers the defensive bonus, but can have regrets. With one draw – at Castres (26-26) – and four defeats in five matches in all competitions, they are having a tough time, but hang on to fifth place in the Top 14. Two defeats in as many matches in the European Cup, I Henry Chavancy’s teammates showed great things during this real championship shock, but lacked precision in their game, especially in the last quarter of an hour, to hope for the best.
Dominated in the first twenty minutes by an enterprising but sloppy Ile-de-France side, Montpellier held up their solid defense well before regaining control of the game. Quite effective in winning, especially in touch, the Saint-André team boosted their game by registering a try from second row international Paul Willemse (25th), after a breakthrough from third row Alexandre Bécognée.
Then, the MHR lacked realism to complete two attacks (36th, 39th), but managed to take the lead in the counterattack (10-3) against Ciel et Blanc. Montpellier rocked the game on the hour by scoring a second try from defender Anthony Bouthier after a magnificent movement (60th), punctuating endless play in which even the Ile-de-France residents could very well have scored before be opposed by the Héraultais.
If Racing 92, through its third row Ibrahim Diallo (74th), was denied a try on video in a breathless final match, he closed the gap with two penalties (68th, 78th) by the Scottish halfback Finn Russell to snatch a bonus defender.
Written with AFP.
