Rugby: Nice prevails in pain against Rumilly

On a muddy pitch but under pleasant sunshine, Nice, in seventh place, welcomed the High Savoyards from Rumilly, in eighth place and last, coached by Olivier Achaintre, a former RNCA coach. The stakes were high for both teams. With a victory, they could continue to hope in a homogeneous championship where anyone can beat anyone.

The people from Nice, in their traditional yellow jerseys, started the match ideally. More desire, power, and application. This dominance materialized as early as the fifth minute. The forwards brought the ball behind the try line following a penalty lineout. Thibaut Déjardin did not convert. He would add six points on penalty in the 19th and 22nd minutes. Nice quickly led 11 to 0.

On their first action, the red-clad Rumillians, after a lineout on the Nice 30-meter line, launched a first-hand attack. Center Lionel Gimenez pierced the defense and grounded the ball between the posts. Cédric Jaboulay converted. (11-7, 25th). Local supporters were not worried for long. Their team retaliated with the same strategy: open play. The ball reached wing Julien Roman. He kicked and the ball landed in the try area. The Rumillians tackled a Nice player without the ball. The penalty came: penalty try. (18-7 at the 25th). The azure XV controlled the game and the ball. Julien Roman even allowed himself the luxury of forgetting to ground the ball on the next play… The two kickers each converted a penalty and the teams headed to the dressing room at 21 to 10.

The near-certain try opportunity would have given Nice a decisive advantage. With clean, simple, and effective play, the Nice team showed a conquering face during the first period. Commanding in lineouts, more powerful in scrums, determined and aggressive on the ball, their score advantage was deserved and undervalued. In their only action, Olivier Achaintre’s players proved they could be dangerous. At the Arboras stadium, everyone knows the last forty minutes are tricky. This was confirmed once again.

The second half saw the complexion reverse. All aspects of play favored Rumilly. On a fine back line combination, like on the first try, fullback Sébastien Jordan grounded the ball between the posts. (21-17, 62nd). The Red and Blacks had the chance to take the lead. The penetrating maul, starting from the 22-meter line, failed on the try line. The Nice players miraculously escaped thanks to a forward. The ten-minute absence of giant Maka allowed the azure team to better manage the match’s end. In injury time, Julien Caminati failed to grab the ball in the try area after a clever kick à la “Michalak” or “Spencer” style from Thibaut Déjardin. The score remained there. The High Savoyards left with the defensive bonus point. The Nice team, meanwhile, were relieved to win. They climb to fifth place and must show even more application next Sunday for the reception of leaders Aix-en-Provence.