Montpellier banished memories of a terrible start to the Ligue 1 season by closing in on a top-half finish with a 2-0 home victory over Rolland Courbis' Rennes.La Paillade lost six of their first seven games but could now finish as high as seventh after second-half goals from Casimir Ninga and Ryad Boudebouz delivered a fourth straight league win.In the 58th minute at the Stade de la Mosson, Ninga beat Benoit Costil after Souleymane Camara had touched a Boudebouz cross his way.Twelve minutes later the provider finished off a rapid Montpellier counter-attack with a powerful low shot.