Montpellier beats Dragons 18-12 to reach Challenge Cup final

Montpellier advanced to the EPCR Challenge Cup final with an 18-12 victory over the Dragons in their semifinal clash at Septeo Stadium on Sunday. The Top 14 side, led by tries from lock Tyler DuGuid and scrumhalf Alexis Bernadet plus eight points from flyhalf Thomas Vincent, held off a resilient Dragons fightback sparked by two scores from centre Aneurin Owen.

The match began with the Dragons nearly scoring in the opening minute. A precise lineout move freed wing David Richards, but his pass to flanker Thomas Young went astray with the line at their mercy. Montpellier struck first in the ninth minute when Vincent converted a penalty after Dragons prop Rodrigo Martinez failed to release a tackler.

The hosts dominated territory and possession in the first half, registering 66 percent possession, double the Dragons' passes and significantly more post-contact metres. Wing Rio Dyer produced a crucial chase to hold up centre Auguste Cadot short of the line following a Montpellier break. Moments later, in the 24th minute, DuGuid touched down after slick handling from Vincent and Cadot, with Vincent adding the conversion for a 12-0 lead.

The Dragons responded in the 31st minute....