Stade Niçois began their 2024/2025 ProD2 season hosting AS Béziers this Friday. It was a challenging first match for the Niçois, resulting in a 13-9 defeat.
In a sold-out Stade des Arboras under a scorching sun, the conditions were ideal to start a new season for the Niçois. Over three months after winning their 2023/2024 Championnat de Nationale title, Stade Niçois returned to competition. This season, the red and blacks are discovering the next level, Pro D2. For many weeks, the players prepared physically, mentally, and technically for the game against Béziers, this Friday at Stade Marcel Volot.
A Lot of Indiscipline
The kick-off is started by the Niçois. However, the Biterrois quickly settle in the opposing camp. After a missed penalty kick to touch, Béziers provides the red and blacks an early chance to clear. Nevertheless, the Héraultais swiftly return to the offensive, but the Niçois once again manage to push back the assault, gaining some respite.
Following a scrum, Pauta, the powerful number 8 for Béziers, breaks free. He is stopped just a meter from the try line. Opportunistic, Samuel Marques tries to touch down to give his team the lead. Eventually, the try is disallowed after video review. Subsequently, the Niçois succumb to pressure, and Smiler receives a yellow card for being offside.
With a numerical advantage, Béziers doesn’t take long to exploit the situation. Pauta, charging at full speed, grabs the ball and scores the first try of the match. The Héraultais open the scoring. The try is followed by a penalty, bringing the score to 10-0 after 26 minutes of play.
Viard, for Nice, narrows the gap by scoring a penalty. The Niçois hope to capitalize on their numerical advantage after the temporary expulsion of the Biterrois fly-half, Malié. However, despite this disadvantage, Béziers withstands and extends the lead with another penalty. At halftime, the Biterrois lead 13-3.
Reaction from the Niçois
Spurred on, the Niçois look to capitalize on their numerical advantage, but no points are scored. The first twenty minutes of the second half are marked by indiscipline, with a series of unsuccessful penalty kicks to touch. Eventually, a Biterrois error allows Nice to narrow the gap to 7 points with a penalty in front of the posts.
The game tightens. Scrums and line-outs dominate, and the Niçois hold off Béziers’ attacks. In the closing stages, the red and blacks come close to a try, but a knock-on crushes their hopes. They could have come within 4 points with a last-minute penalty, but a Biterrois offside gives them another chance. This time, the penalty is successful. Nonetheless, the Niçois fall 13-9, earning a defensive bonus point. Strong in the second half, they endure their first home loss since December 2022 in this opening Pro D2 match.
A reaction is already expected next week against Agen.
