Nissa Rugby remains the solid leader of the championship. The team from Nice controlled their home game against a smaller Niort team, thanks notably to two tries by Farai Mudariki.
In a match billed as one of the highlights of this 18th day of the National league, Nissa Rugby confirmed their status as a serious contender at the top of the table by winning at home against the Niort Rugby Club (24-17). The Niortais, in search of points to move up in the rankings, resisted for a long time but eventually gave in to a Nice team that stayed true to its standards: solid, disciplined, and effective in crucial areas.
Before the kickoff, the numbers spoke for themselves. With seven home victories and a prolific attack (281 points scored on home turf), Nissa Rugby approached the match with confidence. Niort, strong at home but struggling away, knew they would need a complete match to challenge the leader.
The beginning of the match was sluggish on both sides. The Nice team quickly measured their opponent without managing to score. After twenty minutes of controlled play, Jean-Pascal Barraque logically opened the scoring given the Azuréens’ dominance. Kicking for goal in the absence of Owen Williams, who was injured against Massy last weekend, the Maralpin fly-half scored the first penalty (3-0). Ten minutes later, Nice accelerated: the Nissa Rugby prop, Farai Tapuwa Mudariki, finished off a well-constructed play and scored the first try of the match, converted by Jean-Pascal Barraque (10-0, 30th minute).
Niort responded timidly before halftime. In one of their rare incursions into Nice’s camp, Ozzy Champs reduced the deficit with a penalty (10-3, 38th minute). The half ended with this logical advantage for the locals.
Nissa Rugby dominates but faces a scare
After returning from the locker room, Nice continued with the same approach. Farai Tapuwa Mudariki, unstoppable, scored a second try in the 46th minute, once again converted by Jean-Pascal Barraque (17-3). The match seemed to turn decisively, but a yellow card for Inoke Nalaga (59th minute), brother of the illustrious Napolioni Nalaga, gave the visitors a boost. With a numerical advantage, Niort took immediate advantage: Chris Massyn scored a powerful try, and Ozzy Champs converted it (17-10, 60th minute).
Stung into action, the leader responded authoritatively. In the 68th minute, the back-row forward Jordan Taufua completed another well-executed offensive sequence, and Jean-Pascal Barraque continued his good performance with the boot (24-10). Niort, however, refused to give up and reduced the gap at the end of the match with a try by Paul Marsan, who was well-served to touch down in the 78th minute. Raphael Sanchez converted it (24-17), sealing the final score.
Despite this last scare, Nissa Rugby managed the final minutes calmly and secured the victory, confirming their status as the league leader. In the next match, the Azuréens will play away at SO Chambéry on Friday, February 13th at 7:30 p.m.
