Stade Niçois suffered their third defeat of the season on the pitch at Bourg-en-Bresse (35-24). Despite a controlled start to the match and a comfortable lead, Barry Maddocks’ men succumbed to the collective strength of USBPA.
Nissa Rugby arrived as the leader of the National league in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. On the Bourg-en-Bresse field, the Niçois were coming off an away defeat in Rouen on October 10 (18-11). Gareth Baber’s men were therefore in search of points away from home to prevent their competitors Chambéry and Narbonne from catching up in the standings. The match, however, started well for Nissa Rugby. On their first incursion into the 22-meter line of the Bressans, Inoke Kurukuruvakatini grounded the ball in the in-goal area (2nd minute). Owen Williams, starting this evening at the fly-half position, widened the gap as early as the 7th minute (8-0) with a penalty after missing the first conversion. David Odiete added a second try soon after (15th minute), and Nice was leading (18-0) after an almost perfect first fifteen minutes.
The National league leader seemed to have the match in hand. The Nice scrum, solid since the start of the season, was putting pressure on the Bressan pack. The home team, struggling in this area (46.85% success rate before the match), logically suffered. But Bourg-en-Bresse hung on.
In the 18th minute, center Kilian Bakour brought his team back into the game flow, before Hugo Quiros scored a second try (22nd minute). In just four minutes, the Violets erased a large part of their deficit (12-18). The game tensed up, the contacts hardened, and referee William Labarre handed out two yellow cards, one for each side (32nd minute).
In an eventful end to the first half, Bourg-en-Bresse found a way through again. A new try from Hugo Quiros (37th minute) gave USBPA the lead for the first time in the match (19-18). Just before the break, Nice regained the lead with another penalty from Owen Williams (19-21).
Nissa Rugby uninspired in the second half
As the second half started, Bourg-en-Bresse immediately took control. Captain Florian Massip restored the lead for his team in the 43rd minute (22-21). Unlike the last match against Suresnes, Nissa Rugby then seemed to be lacking energy. The rhythm and precision from the beginning of the match were gone.
The better-organized Bressan pack dominated the impacts and deprived Nice of possession. Thomas Deliance scored the fourth and final try for the Violets (60th minute), converted by fullback Florian Massip (29-21). The Niçois tried to come back, Owen Williams, successful with his kicking, reduced the gap with a penalty (63rd minute), but Bourg’s defense held firm.
In the last ten minutes, Florent Massip sealed his team’s victory with two more penalties (72nd, 77th minutes). Nice would not come back. Final score (35-24).
After 15 minutes of high-level play, the Niçois retreated, succumbing to the assaults of a more consistent opponent. Indiscipline, line-out errors, and a loss of effectiveness in the scrum took their toll.
This new away setback hurts. Nissa Rugby loses its leader position. With 31 points in the standings, the Niçois leave the top spot to SO Chambéry, who won at home (34-16) against Massy.
This defeat should serve as a wake-up call for the Niçois. Despite an impressive roster, the National league remains a demanding championship, where every away game can turn into a trap. The Niçois will need to quickly regroup before hosting Marcq-en-Baroeul next Saturday, on November 8th at 6 p.m. A reaction is expected!
