Worcester eliminate Montpellier

Worcester qualified for the European Challenge Cup semi-finals by beating Montpellier 36-26 at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

Worcester qualified for the European Challenge Cup semi-finals by beating Montpellier 36-26 at Sixways Stadium on Saturday.

Worcester outscored their French visitors by five tries to four in an enthralling game.

Winger Rico Gear led a stunning first-half display and scored two tries for the home side as they denied Montpellier an upset despite a valiant fight back from the visitors.

Miles Benjamin, Sam Tuitupou and Craig Gillies also grabbed scores to give the Warriors a commanding half-time lead.

But Montpellier, who crossed twice in the first half through Fulgence Ouedraogo and Vasco Uva, rallied after the break.

Fabien Rofes and Warren Britz scored tries for the visitors to ensure a nervy finish for the Sixways faithful but Mike Ruddock's team held on to make it five games without defeat.

Worcester started strongly when Benjamin ran in under the posts and Shane Drahm added the extras to give Warriors a 7-0 third-minute lead.

Montpellier hit back straight away through captain Ouedraogo, who touched down in the corner with Argentinian fly-half Federico Todeschini converting.

But the home team kept on the front foot and Worcester full-back Thinus Delport made some good yards before feeding Benjamin.

The young winger was stopped in his tracks but the ball was recycled down the line where Pat Sanderson committed two defenders before finding Gear to run in. Drahm split the posts again.

And the Warriors grabbed a third try as the ball was then spun down the back line to All Black centre Tuitupou, who scorched over.

Five minutes later, number eight Uva dived over to bring Montpellier back within a converted score of the home side.

But Gear then scored Worcester's fourth try of the match and his seventh of the competition following more good work by Dale Rasmussen before Drahm hit the target to make it 26-12.

Second row Gillies then got in on the act after a powerful run from Tuitupou. With the wind picking up, Drahm did well to drive his conversion between the posts.

Gear missed a chance for his hat-trick after the break, knocking on at the crucial moment as Worcester went for the kill.

But their hopes were hit when Sanderson was sent to the cooler for deliberately killing the ball on the hour mark.

The visitors immediately made the most of their advantage with hooker Rofes going over for a try under the posts, which was improved by Regis Lespinas.

Drahm inadvertently handed the visitors a good attacking platform with a kick direct into touch from just outside the 22.

From the line-out, replacement number eight Warren Britz claimed the ball and charged through to score with Lespinas' conversion, making the score 33-26.

But a 72nd-minute penalty from Drahm eased the pressure on Worcester who hung on to reach the semi-finals for the second time in three years.

The Scorers:

For Worcester:
Tries: Benjamin, Gear 2, Tuitupou, Gillies
Pen: Drahm
Cons: Drahm 4

For Montpellier:
Tries: Ouedraogo, Uva, Rofes, Britz
Cons:Todeschini, Lespinas 2

Yellow card: Sanderson (killing the ball)

Worcester: 15 Thinus Delport, 14 Rico Gear, 13 Dale Rasmussen, 12 Sam Tuitupou, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Shane Drahm, 9 Matt Powell, 8 Kai Horstmann, 7 Pat Sanderson (c), 6 Drew Hickey, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Greg Rawlinson, 3 Tevita Taumoepeau, 2 Aleki Lutui, 1 Tony Windo.
Replacements: 16 Matt Mullan, 17 Shaun Ruwers, 18 Will Bowley, 19 Gavin Quinnell, 20 Joe Carlisle, 21 Jonny Arr, 22 Chris Pennell.

Montpellier: 15 Mark McHugh, 14 Olivier Sarraméa, 13 Régis Lespinas, 12 Alessandro Stoica, 11 Sébastien Kuzbik, 10 Fédérico Todeschini, 9 Sébastien Buada, 8 Vasco Uva, 7 Sébastien Galtier, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo (capt), 5 Michel Macurdy, 4 Mickaël Bert, 3 Philémon Toleafoa, 2 Fabien Rofes, 1 Sébastien Petit.
Replacements: 16 Olivier Diomandé, 17 David Vaudaine, 18 Goncalo Uva, 19 Warren Britz, 20 Adrien Tomas, 21 Murphy Taele, 22 Julien Tomas.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Touch Judges: Olan Trevor, David Wilkinson (Ireland)
Citing Commissioner: Achille Reali (Italy)
Match Commissioner: Roger Whitfield (England)