Match Report – Montpellier 59 – 26 Ulster

Ulster lost the Challenge Cup final to Montpellier in Bilbao; France team scored nine tries: Gabriel N’Gandebe, Donovan Taufifenua (two), Alex Bekogni, Lenny Nouchi, Baptiste Erdosio, Wilfried Hunkpetin, Arthur Vincent, Billy Vunipola; Ulster missed out on the trophy for the first time since 2006

Montpellier won their third Challenge Cup title in their history by beating Ulster at San Mamés in Bilbao.

Ulster missed out on the chance to lift silverware for the first time in 20 years as they were blown out 59-26 by Montpellier in Friday’s Challenge Cup final in Bilbao.

The Irish province were looking for a first title since their 2006 Celtic League triumph, but despite a perfect start to take the lead after three minutes at San Mames, they were completely outclassed on the night.

Montpellier wings Gabriel N’Gandebe and Donovan Taufifenua (two), flankers Alex Bekogni and Lenny Nouchi, replacement props Baptiste Erdosio and Wilfried Honkpattin, center Arthur Vincent and No.8 Billy Vunipola – scored nine tries with the former England captain captaining the French side.

Ulster scored four tries through flanker Nick Timoney, lock Cormac Izuchukwu, wing Robert Balukaun and full-back Mike Lowry, but defeat for them means they will miss out on Champions Cup rugby for the second successive season, finishing ninth in the URC.

Rob Baluchown returned to Ulster after recovering from injury, but they were well beaten by Montpellier.

Ulster made an ideal start to the final as Timoney scored after a long attack in Montpellier’s 22 – a speculative, high-slung Nathan Doak box-kick was deflected behind by Tom Banks and pounced on by No. 8 Juarno Augustus to set up the chance.

Nick Timoney got Ulster off to the perfect start with a try in just the third minute

Dok converted to make it 7-0 but Montpellier responded less than three minutes later when great play from the halfway line saw center August Cadot release and he offloaded to N’Gandebe to finish in the corner.

Domingo Miotti hit a beauty of a touchline conversion to equalize in the final, while Ulster’s Balcoun then showed his athleticism to rise and claim the restart. Doak grubber-kicked forward, Banks pounced and then put a hold on the penalty, Ulster seeing the kick in the corner.

A huge chance to pull the Irish back in front was wasted though as lock Harry Sheridan charged for the line and over, only to spill the ball in goal as he went down the ground for the try.

With the score 7-7 at half-time, Ulster lock Harry Sheridan knocked the ball over to score.

In the 16th minute, Montpellier struck where Ulster didn’t finish Taufifenua after receiving a laser from a Miotti cut-out pass – the chance to attack in the Ulster 22 came with hooker Tom Stewart blowing up a defensive lineout (after Miotti had pinned Ulster super tactically).

Argentina converted again for a 14-7 lead, but Taufifenua then blocked a high ball outside his own 22 to present Ulster with a good chance to reply.

But the men in white couldn’t take it, as a tyrannical Montpellier defense pushed them back time and time again, before Vunipola pounced on a loose ball to earn Jackle a penalty.

In the 28th minute, Ulster narrowed the gap as Izuchukwu scored a supreme try, showing all his speed and athleticism to sprint over from 40 meters out.

Cormac Izuchukwu scored a great try as Ulster narrowed to within two points in the first half, but then they blew away.

Doke’s touchline conversion drifted wide to give Montpellier a narrow 14-12 lead, and the French side again responded quickly: a fine hand through the back almost saw Banks score a try, before Vunipola powered for their third – Miotti converting for a nine-point lead.

The advantage was 14 points before half-time when Beggani picked up and dived as a Montpellier driving maul did major damage inside the Ulster 22 – Miotte this time failing to add the extra.

It was all Montpellier at the start of the second half, only to deny N’Gandebe his second with a desperate dive to claim a loose ball from James Hume, headed back over the try-line.

Gabriel Ngandebe scored Montpellier’s first goal of the night as their backline and heavy forwards tore Ulster apart.

The French outfit didn’t have to wait long, though, as the resulting five-metre scrum patiently played gave way to a stunning Tauphifenua finish in the corner. Miotti converted brilliantly for a 33-12 score.

Moments later, Montpellier scored their sixth try when Nouchi charged over a line to finish firmly as Ulster headed further down.

When Miotti converted, Montpellier reached 40 points in 50 minutes.

Six minutes later, Balquhoun showed his great talent by beating three defenders to take a superb try, but Montpellier secured their seventh when Ulster and Erdosio scored on the base.

Replacement tighthead Hunkpattin put Montpellier 50 points clear when he picked up and crashed over after Nouchi continued ferociously, before Lawrie headed over in the corner for another Ulster consolation score.

Indeed, that try did little to lift Ulster’s spirits when Vincent scored at the other end to put Montpellier 60 points clear in what was virtually the final game.