Last Saturday, during the third matchday of the Top 14, Stade Toulousain suffered a heavy defeat against MHR. Montpellier, after two consecutive defeats, earned its first victory of the season by thrashing Toulouse 44-14. A performance marked by a thunderous first half and methodical management of the second period.
Montpellier wins from the start
Arthur Vincent and his teammates brilliantly disrupted Stade Toulousain from the start of the match. Although Toulouse initially took the lead with a try in the 9th minute thanks to Dimitri Delibes, MHR quickly responded spectacularly.
The Montpellier coach and players were determined to redeem themselves after their previous defeats. It was thanks to solid defensive play, notably an interception of Thomas Ramos by Auguste Cadot, that Montpellier scored a crucial try in the 13th minute. This feat kicked off a series of brilliant offensive performances.
Toulouse’s shipwreck
With a weakened attack and disorganized tactics, Toulouse was paralyzed. On several occasions, the Stade players lost valuable possession, often in crucial moments, such as between Jack Willis and Alexandre Roumat. This disorganization allowed Cadot to shine once again, offering Tom Banks an opportunity he didn’t let slip.
Toulouse’s hopes were definitively extinguished after Arthur Vincent capitalized on poor Toulouse coverage to score Montpellier’s fourth try. At halftime, the score was clear: 34-7 in favor of Montpellier, a deficit that resembled the one inflicted by Racing on UBB a week earlier.
Montpellier’s undeniable dominance
In the second half of the match, MHR strengthened its hold. Toulouse, already weakened by a succession of yellow cards, notably against Dorian Aldegheri and Clément Vergé, struggled to regain control of the game. A glimmer of hope emerged with Célian Pouzelgues’ try in the 55th minute, but the resurgence was brief. With one minute left, the Montpellier forwards sealed the fate of the match by claiming the bonus point thanks to a powerful try from Houkpatin. It was a dream night for Montpellier, in contrast to the nightmare experienced by Toulouse. What lessons for the future? Toulouse manager Ugo Mola expressed a need to regroup, emphasizing the importance of such a defeat as a wake-up call for his team. Fans eagerly await the French champions’ reaction in the upcoming derby against Castres.
Montpellier, for its part, hopes to maintain this positive momentum. After this show of strength, the MHR is positioned to face the challenges ahead with renewed confidence. This victory may mark a turning point for the team, determined to never relive the disappointments of the past.
For more information on the latest news from Montpellier, you can visit the links:
follow the PSG-Montpellier handball match
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Laurent Nicollin’s reaction after the defeat against Angers , among others.