Montpellier dominate Zebre in Challenge Cup
MATCH REPORT: Montpellier Hérault came from behind to dominate Zebre Parma in Round Tow of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
The two-time champions made it two from two in this season’s competition thanks to their 31-7 win on Friday.
While the first half was a chance to shine for both sides’ forwards, the second offered more space for the backs.
Zebre Parma were the first ones to go over after just nine minutes after some solid forward work from close range.
The French side recovered in the first 40 though to head into the break ahead. Mael Moustin found some space before Alex Masibaka finished off a dominating, driving maul from a long way out.
Masibaka added another to his tally just after the hour mark, in between Marco Tauleigne and Florian Verhaeghe scores.
The Italians’ pack was back towards the end of the tie when Franco Carrera thought he’d bullied his way over from one metre out. A forensic TMO eventually extinguished Italian hopes of a consolation.
A statement start to the season from the two-time winners as they head into the Christmas break with two from two.
Teams:
For Montpellier:
Tries: Moustin, Masibaka, Tauleigne, Masibaka, Verhaeghe
Con: Miotti 3
For Zebre Parma:
Try: Licata
Con: Montemauri
Teams:
Montpellier: 15 Thomas Vincent, 14 Gabriel N’Gandebe, 13 Thomas Darmon, 12 Auguste Cadot, 11 Mael Moustin, 10 Stuart Hogg, 9 Leo Coly, 8 Alex Masibaka, 7 Jordan Uelese (captain), 6 Marco Tauleigne, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Luka Japaridze, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Nika Abuladze.
Replacements: 16 Lyam Akrab, 17 Enzo Forletta, 18 Valentin Welsch, 19 Tyler DuGuid, 20 Solomon Shand, 21 Ali Price, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Jules Ducros.
Zebre Parma: 15 Lorenzo Pani, 14 Malik Faissal, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Damiano Mazza, 11 Albert Batista, 10 Giovanni Montemauri, 9 Migael Prinsloo, 8 Giovanni Licata (captain), 7 Jacopo Bianchi, 6 Giacomo Milano, 5 Alessandro Ortombina, 4 Guido Volpi, 3 Matteo Nocera, 1 Paolo Buonfiglio.
Replacements: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Muhamed Hasa, 18 Riccardo Genovese, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Davide Ruggeri, 21 Nikolaj Varotto, 22 Martin Roger Farias, 23 Enrico Lucchin.
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Keane Davison (Ireland), Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland)
TMO: Mark Patton (Ireland)
