Medard Scores Two Tries As Toulouse End Champions Leinster's Win Streak

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Oct, 2018 ) :Maxime Medard was again the hero as Toulouse beat visiting European champions Leinster 28-27 on Sunday to take over top spot in Pool 1, ending the Irish side's 10-match winning streak in the tournament.

Medard, whose last-ditch tackle stopped Bath's Freddie Burns scoring a winning try last week, on Sunday touched down the first and last of the home team's three tries.

The match between the only two clubs to win the European title four times, swayed back and forth.

"It's a feat, we've found a way to come back," Medard said. "Leinster is a big team...We just wanted to show what we can do." Medard scored the first after 12 minutes, collecting a long pass from scrum half Sebastien Bezy to smash through two tackles and touch down in the corner.

Flanker Sean O'Brien hit back for Leinster, but Sofiane Guitoune swerved through the Leinster defence just before half time, although he almost repeated Burns' error, juggling the ball as he flopped over the line.

Leinster fought back again, with tries by two more forwards, lock James Ryan and hooker Sean Cronin. Jonny Sexton converted both to put Leinster six points ahead.

"We clawed our way back into the game," Leinster coach Leo Cullen told BT Sport. "We looked like we were in control of the game." "That intercept on 70 minutes...and Toulouse go half the length of the field." With Leinster pressing, Louis-Benoit Madaule intercepted deep in his half to start a sweeping move that ended with Medard again sliding over in the corner.

Thomas Ramos converted from the touchline to put the home team a point ahead.

The victory put Toulouse top of Pool 1, two points ahead of Leinster, who picked up a bonus point.

"Suddenly we're the team that has to chase," said Cullen after Leinster's 10-match European winning streak came to an end.

In Newcastle, Callum Chick squirmed over the Montpellier line in the ninth minute of stoppage time to give the home team a 23-20 victory.

It was a second narrow victory over a French power in a week for Newcastle, who won by one point away to three times European champions Toulon last Sunday. The bottom club in the English Premiership now lead Pool 5.

Newcastle dominated the first try but only managed on try, scored by Gary Graham.

Montpellier grappled away control in the second half, pinning the home team back, forcing a series of penalties and taking the lead when lock Paul Willemse went over from a maul.

Ruan Pienaar missed the conversion but padded the lead with his fifth successful penalty kick. From the ensuing kick off Newcastle prop Logovi'i Mulipola earned a yellow card for a high tackle as he tried to win the ball.

- 'Star-studded' - Newcastle responded and battered away at Montpellier in an eight-minute, 40-phase close-range siege which ended with Chick shoving over by the posts.

"Before that 39 phases, we couldn't keep it for more than one or two! But I think we probably just about deserved the win," said Dean Richards, the Newcastle coach.

"I've been involved in a few finishes like that, but that was one of the best because of the players involved here," said Richards.

Montpellier head coach Vern Cotter complemented Newcastle.

"They managed to keep the ball for eight minutes at the end of the game to win and you have to give them credit for that," he said. "It's a sign of a good team."In Cardiff, Adam Hastings scored the first of Glasgow's four tries in the first minute and also kicked nine points as the Scots beat the Blues, 29-12, to overtake the Welsh region behind Saracens in Pool 3.