Ulster maintained their unbeaten record in the Heineken Cup with a 27-16 win over Montpellier - but the result wasn't quite enough to clinch them a place in the quarter-finals.
Knowing a bonus-point victory would secure them at very least a spot as one of the two best runners-up, the Irish
province were only able to score three tries against depleted Pool 5 opponents.
Robbie Diack and Ruan Pienaar both touched down in the first half for the hosts and John Afoa added another after the break, but despite desperate late pressure a crucial fourth was not forthcoming.
The result means Ulster could now need to get something from their final group game away at Leicester, who will be hoping to secure five points themselves from their trip to Italy to face whipping boys Benetton Treviso on Saturday.
With Montpellier already out of contention and with the majority of their first-team squad left in France, a heavy home win looked a banker at Ravenhill. The visitors, however, clearly had not read the script.
Eric Escande booted them ahead and their early lead could have been greater had the scrum-half had a little extra on a long-range attempt, while fly-half Enzo Selponi saw a drop goal drift wide to the right.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment