For this sixth matchday of the Nationale, Nissa Rugby hosted SO Chambéry. A top-of-the-table clash between the leader and its runner-up in the Nationale standings.
Two teams in great form met at the Marcel-Volot stadium. On one side, Chambéry with the best attack in the championship and the best defense tied with Nice. On the other, Nissa Rugby, the championship leader, remained on three consecutive victories at Bourgoin, Niort, and at home against Massy. This match promised entertainment and it did not disappoint.
On that note, being late to this match would have been a mistake! Nissa Rugby started very strong by scoring two tries in less than five minutes. The first was the work of Nice winger Inoke Kurukuruvakat. A beautiful team move capped by the conversion of Welsh international Owen Williams. Then, from the restart by Chambéry, the flanker Bastien Berenguel managed to find a gap and scored a second try, converted by Owen Williams (14-0).
Chambéry’s reaction was swift as a few minutes later, the Savoyards managed to keep the ball in Nice’s 22. The Maralpine defense bent and finally broke on a charge by Ramiha Darrell Tia Smiler, bringing Chambéry back into the game (14-7).
The match became more balanced even though Nice was under some pressure in the game and lost control of the ball. Well supported by its pack, Nice endured this top-tier duel.
Five minutes before the end of the first half, Nissa Rugby created a great opportunity through a breakthrough by Waisea Vuidravuwalu, tackled by a Chambéry player. The visitors committed successive fouls and the referee issued a yellow card against Bastien Reymond. On the ensuing play, the Nice pack used its power to cross the line for the third try credited to Waisea Vuidravuwalu, who initiated the action. The referee blew the halftime whistle after Owen Williams’ conversion (21-7).
Nissa Rugby widens the gap and secures the bonus point
At the restart, Nice increased the intensity with the numerical advantage. Without losing the ball, Nice gradually advanced from left to right. Jean-Pascal Barraque passed to David Odiete in the corner, who scored the bonus point try for Nissa Rugby, not converted by the local fly-half (26-7).
With a brilliant kick from Owen Williams, Bastien Berenguel scored a brace in the corner, extending the lead in the 52nd minute. The Azuréens led by 24 points despite two missed conversions by the Nice fly-half.
The coaches decided to rotate their squads and emptied their benches. Nice defended well and maintained intensity on its offensives. Chambéry was affected but did not give up, offering play through their substitutes without success.
Nice accelerated and launched several quick attacks that hurt the Savoyards. Neither team could make further breakthroughs, due to small errors linked to fatigue from this high-intensity match.
The score remained unchanged. Nice won (31-7). With this result, Nissa Rugby consolidated its position as the Nationale leader with a six-point lead over Albi, now second. The next match for the Niçois is next Friday in Rouen.
