Montpellier prove far too 'hot' for Ulster to handle in steamy Challenge Cup final
Ulster got battered in a field that, with apologies to Johnny Cash, was hotter than a pepper sprout.There had been talk of the Bilbao heatwave through the day but, even so, nothing had prepared the Ulster players - and their fans in the 43,204 attendance - for the closed roof at the San Mames turning the game to broiling point.Ulster were on the wrong side of a 59-26 scoreline, Leinster beware this afternoon...Obviously the overarching 'sticky' affected different players differently but Nathan Doak, Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney and Juarno Agustus were visible, brave and doughty but it was never near enough.This is despite Ulster getting off to a dream start, a Doak box-kick gaining the northern side a deal of ground down the left, something that seemed to startle, as opposed to rattle, Montpellier.The Irish side were still a dozen or more metres short of the line in the aftermath but repeated surges for the line gained penalty advantages. Eventually, skipper Timoney crossed to the right of the posts leaving a simple conversion.Stunned was the word to describe the stadium's largely neutral spectators, but the French side seemed hardly affected. They kicked off, regained possession, and right-winger N'Gandebe Gabrielle ran in a try with overlaps to spare.Ulster almost replied just as quickly but Harry Sheridan knocked on as he crossed the line.Montpellier stretched their lead further in the 17th minute, winning an Ulster lineout close to Ulster line and following a couple of direct attacks, flashing back wide for left winger Donovan Taofifenua to cross.The French side were dominating collisions upfront and Ulster were on the verge of damning shovel-ball when a seemingly innocuous left-to-right sweep found Cormac Izuchuwu gaining possession in, basically, the Ulster centre.The speediest forward in Ireland carved himself half a gap and arc-ing through it, accelerated 40 metres to score out on the right-hand side.The relief was only temporary as Montpellier swept downfield and 90 seconds later Billy Vunipola was scoring from close range while Alexandre Becognee posted another pile-over try soon after.It had been a hot and heavy first-half with Ulster trailing 26-12 before conceding the first two tries of the second-half to Taofifenua and Lenni Nouchi to go 40-12 down after 50 minutes.There was was a Robert Baloucoune try just beefore the hour followed quick rejoinders from Baptiste Erdocio and Wilfred Hounkpatin just after the hour while Michael Lowry crossed eight minutes from time.Arthur Vincent scored his sides ninth try right at the death. Montpellier open-side Becognee was voted Player of the Match.Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
