For their return match, Stade Niçois won 28-17 against AS Bedarrides. In a match marked by phases of battle and inaccuracies due to the wind, Nice managed to impose their rhythm but had a scare with three consecutive yellow cards. Before the derby against Grasse next week, Nice climbs to third place and builds confidence.
The Niçois quickly got into the game with two plays close to Bedarrides’ try line, but a forward pass dashed their hopes for a try. Despite ten good minutes from the Rouge et Noir, the Vauclusians opened the scoring with a penalty (0-3, 15th minute). It took until the half-hour mark for Stade Niçois to respond and in great fashion. After long phases of play in the opponent’s 22, the game was shifted to the open side, Julien Fritz broke through two tackles and crossed the line to score the first try of the match, converted by the fly-half Thibaut Nègre (7-3, 32nd minute). Just before halftime, a 50-meter break by Julien Fritz allowed the Niçois to win a penalty, which was successfully converted. At halftime, Stade Niçois led 10-3.
At the start of the second half, the strong wind had died down. The second period started badly with a high tackle by Marvin Roth, leading to his 10-minute exclusion. Playing with 14 against 15 strengthened the Niçois’ solidarity as they maintained good ball control. Thibaut Nègre took advantage to kick another penalty (13-3, 47th minute). Mège and then Commandeur received yellow cards for high tackles. Bedarrides did not capitalize on their numerical advantage and failed to score any points. At the hour mark, Thomas Sorreaux took the ball on the 40-meter line, broke through the opposing defense, and scored the second try, which was unconverted (18-3, 61st minute). Bedarrides responded with a try from their substitute hooker (18-10, 70th minute). But Stade Niçois did not let a direct competitor for the Top 4 catch up and accelerated: Maquaire kicked a penalty, then Benjamin Musso scored the third try for his team. The scrum-half completed a 60-meter play where almost the entire team touched the ball (28-10, 75th minute). At the very end of the match, Nice sought the offensive bonus but was countered, and Bedarrides’ fly-half scored a try that didn’t change anything.
“We made quite a bit of progress in defense. Upfront, we are more patient. It was important to gain confidence after the holidays and before a big derby. It’s good to win at home, but we had the tools to secure the offensive bonus. For me, it’s the first match in a year where I didn’t come off injured, which is positive,” rejoiced Thomas Sorreaux, the Niçois winger who scored the best try of the match.
Nice came out on top and took third place from their opponent of the day. Although not everything was perfect, Stade Niçois displayed solidarity in numerical disadvantage and gained confidence ahead of the derby next Sunday in Grasse, the group leader.
Photo credit: Stade Niçois
