Short but precious victory for Stade Niçois

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Following a low-quality match, Stade Niçois emerged victorious with a 23-17 win against Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël. The Niçois solidified their position within the top four but will need to step up their game to achieve greater ambitions.


The match started off at a slow pace between two teams with very different objectives, the Top 4 for Stade Niçois, and survival for the CARF. Viktor Maquaire gave Stade Niçois an early lead with a penalty from 30 meters (3-0, 4′). However, inaccuracies and fouls quickly accumulated on both sides. Fréjus-Saint-Raphaël took advantage and moved ahead with two penalties (3-6, 16′). The Niçois, frequently penalized (5 times in 20 minutes), received a yellow card for their hooker Commandeur.

This was the moment Stade Niçois chose to wake up. Maquaire, in strong winds, adjusted his aim (6-9, 32′). Shortly after, Julien Fritz retrieved a fumbled ball in the middle of the field, perfectly negotiated the two-on-one, and launched Maël Parcheminer for a try, converted by Maquaire (13-9, 35′). A perfect strike before halftime.

The scuffles at the end of the first half were unfortunate for Gilbert Doucet’s men, who saw their number one weapon in the backline, Julien Fritz, sent off for ten minutes. Playing with 14 against 15 didn’t intimidate the Niçois; quite the opposite. After a lineout within five meters, the forwards easily started the drive and crossed the try line. The second Niçois try was scored by the second row, Antoine Derrstroff (20-9, 42′).

But the penalties continued to rain on the hosts, and CARF got back into the match with a try from their winger (20-14, 55′). Stade Niçois, struggling with their gameplay, got a scare when the visitors closed in on the score with a penalty (20-17, 58′). John Herjean received a yellow card for the remainder of the match but Thibaud Nègre converted a penalty, restoring a six-point lead (23-17, 73′). The final action by CARF gave Niçois fans a scare as they defended their line with all their might. A final knock-on dashed the victory hopes for the Varois. This win allows Stade Niçois to claim the fourth place and hope to finish higher in the standings with a win in their postponed match against Monteux (on March 8).

Photo credit: Stade Niçois

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