The Rennes Students Club hosted Nissa Rugby for the 13th day of the Nationale. An important match for both teams in a still tight standings.
Finding the path to victory. Such was the mission of the Nissa Rugby players. After a fifteen-day break, the Nationale Championship was back. It was an opportunity for the Nice team to reset after losing two matches, first at Narbonne and then at home against Albi. As a result, Nissa Rugby, then leader at the start of November, found themselves in 6th place before the evening’s match. On the Rennes side, the situation was even less easy. Although the team managed to achieve coups, like against Narbonne, the Bretons were only 10th in the standings. Although the duel seemed unbalanced at the start, it wasn’t that much.
This was evident from the start of the match. Both kickers settled quickly into the match. Owen Williams opened the score in the 3rd minute with a penalty. Benjamin Noble for Rennes responded in the 15th minute before Rennes took the lead with a try by Eneri Lotawa in the 19th minute, converted by Noble. Rennes held on in this part and took a good lead with two more penalties by their kicker, bringing the score to (16-6) in favor of the Bretons.
We had to wait until the end of the first half to see Nissa Rugby react. Atila Septar, lined up in the center, scored in the 36th minute. Owen Williams converted. Nice pushed just before halftime. Sa Taufua touched down at the siren, allowing the players from the Alpes-Maritimes region to take the lead again. The conversion was successful. Nice led at halftime (16-20) despite a strong start by the Rennes team.
Nissa Rugby moves forward
Returning from the locker room, the Nice team maintained their rhythm. Sa Taufua scored a second personal try in the 45th minute. Owen Williams, in top form, converted again. Rennes responded a few minutes later through Baptiste Beaujouan, who reignited the suspense in the match while Nissa Rugby played with 14 players.
The debates remained tense and the coaches introduced fresh blood! The score did not change until the 65th minute and a new penalty from Owen Williams, who was outstanding that night (16-30). Nissa Rugby broke away in this match that would turn to the advantage of the visitors. David Odiete scored the fourth try for the team from the Côte d’Azur, once again converted, ten minutes before the end of the match. Nice finished strong with a last transformed try by Hugo Sarrasin again at the siren.
Rennes held their own during the first half, driven by the effectiveness of their fly-half Benjamin Noble. The Rennes pack offered solid sequences, but the defense fell apart at the wrong time. Nissa Rugby was able to take the upper hand physically after the break. The Nice team capitalized on their strong periods and on the precision of Owen Williams.
Nissa Rugby secured victory (21-44) but did not move up in the standings. However, they remain six points behind the leading team from Albi at the end of the 13th day of the championship. The next match for Nissa Rugby: next Saturday with the start of the return phase. The Nice team will host the Stado Tarbes Pyrénées at 6 p.m.
