The Montpellier residents went for the bonus against Pau this Saturday (30-3), while the Palois had the opportunity to deprive them of it at the very end of the match.
A five-point victory against a direct competitor, an almost perfect conquest, the war in the groupings, Lyon and Perpignan who are falling apart… The end of the afternoon of the MHR was rather glorious. You have to know how to savor when the opportunity presents itself, especially in Montpellier, which is coming off the last two difficult seasons. “We work like dogs, we finally reward ourselves”assures the second row Yacouba Camara.
This home victory, the first improved one of the year, the Montpellier residents went to get it in the money-time. Dominant for 80 minutes, notably in conquest with a perfect scrum (6 penalties recovered) and a touch (100%), they faltered for a long time in the last gesture, failing too often close to the lines. “The bonus, we could have picked it up earlier”recognizes Caudullo.
“The instructions were clear”
But a helping hand from fate, or rather a huge misunderstanding in the Pau ranks, offered the MHR one last shot. Instead of tapping out at 23-3, and depriving Montpellier of an offensive bonus, Sébastien Piqueronies' men decided to play. “The instructions were clear. You had to type. The information, apparently, went wrong”the Pau coach got annoyed.
“The staff was clear-sighted. The strong team won this evening, and they have the bonus thanks to our ridiculousness… We all have to question ourselves. Starting Monday, I'm going to start teaching common language. The words will be simple, but they will be the same”he added.
Result, the Héraultais recovered the ball, moved up the field and pushed the Palois with a final maul concluded by Duguid. “We gave them the bonus. Well done to us. It’s a shame”railed third row Loïc Credoz. “The group knew what they had to do, but we didn’t do it. That’s how it is.”declared, disconcerted, center Nathan Decron.
