The match away to the leader was certainly not the ideal occasion for the team from Nice to improve their standings. However, rugby being a sport with a ball that has irregular bounces, the Azur players were not far from causing an upset and thus kick-starting a season that began with the handbrake on, despite their intrinsic value.
A first half in their favor and a very balanced second half with the score remaining close until Diarra’s decisive converted try in the 58th minute.
But the home team had to wait until the last minute to gain breathing space with a final penalty, leaving their valiant opponents with the meager satisfaction of the defensive bonus point.
Will the fine and courageous performance of Jean Anturville’s players be the much-anticipated turning point since the start of such a laborious season both on the field and in the stands?
An initial answer is expected next Sunday with the arrival of the co-leaders from Bourg-en-Bresse for the rescheduled match following last weekend’s bad weather on the Côte d’Azur.
Montauban- RNCA 22-16 (9-13)
For Nice: Try by Benhoumouda, 1 conversion and 2 penalties by Leal, 1 drop goal by Lapierre.
Standings (with the number of matches played in parentheses):
1 – Montauban 25 points (6)
2 – Bourg en Bresse 22 (5)
3 – La Seyne 13 (4)
4 – Castanet 12 (6)
5 – Saint-Etienne 11 (4)
6 – Nimes 8 (5)
7 – Romans 8 (5)
8 – Chateurenard 8 (5)
9 – Marseille 5 (5)
10 – Nice 3 (5)
