7th consecutive victory for Stade Niçois, who won 28-14 on the field of Châteaurenard yesterday afternoon. A bonus victory that allows them to stay in the race for promotion to ProD2.
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It was intense, tense, and closely contested, but the essential was secured for Stade Niçois. Pressured by the victories of Narbonne and Aubenas, the team from the Côte d’Azur needed to win away to stay in touch with second place.
A match against a tough opponent that Stade started in the best way by scoring a try in the first minutes. Despite the locals’ efforts, the more pragmatic Niçois made the break at the 15-minute mark with a try from their winger (3-14).
The end of the first half was more disrupted. On a difficult and muddy field, fouls multiplied, and indiscipline reigned with 3 yellow cards given to both teams.
At halftime, the visitors were ahead (6-14) but nothing was decided yet as Châteaurenard seemed capable of turning the match around.
A Niçois red card, luckily without consequence
At the restart, the local kicker added 3 points, increasing the pressure. But everything changed in the 50th minute when, after a skirmish, Champin received a red card, leaving his Niçois teammates outnumbered.
Despite everything, Stade elevated their game and capitalized on their dominance in the scrum to score two more tries (9-28).
The last 10 minutes were very challenging for the Niçois, who received 2 yellow cards for repeated fouls. A match end at 12 against 15 where they only conceded one try and held onto their offensive bonus until the end (14-28).
A seventh consecutive victory and an additional crucial point in the standings, as it allows Stade Niçois to stay on the podium, tied on points with Narbonne and 4 points behind Aubenas, currently 2nd and qualified for the playoffs for promotion.
The next opponent on February 14 will be the Ardéchois, in a top-of-the-table clash that could reshuffle the cards in the race for promotion to ProD2.
