The Nice team did not achieve the feat their supporters were expecting, but this match against Limoges was not the anticipated last stand either. The home team let slip a victory that wasn’t easy but was still possible against a team that showed impressive game mastery and remarkable efficiency. Despite a very well-played match, Nice was defeated at home on Sunday by Limoges (20-26) in the first leg of the French Fédérale 1 Championship round of 16. However, as coach Manu Boutet says, “This is only halftime of this opposition.” So, the hut hasn’t fallen on the dog yet!
However, the Nice players might regret a certain nervousness and the fact they were unable to capitalize on their superiority in certain phases of the game. Unfortunately, their kicker Malavard had an off day (missing three penalty kicks), he who has often been the sharpshooter allowing Nice to win some matches in the final seconds. Not everything is lost yet for the Nice team, who can still cause a surprise in the return match.
Because the RNCA will play, in Limoges, for their qualification next Sunday.
In the meantime, captain David Penalva and his teammates offered the Arboras Stadium audience a spectacle worthy of the very high level of Fédérale 1. They just lacked the ability to manage some periods of dominance, as well as better kicking accuracy to win a match Nice deserved to win.
Without a doubt, these elements will be important next week in Limoges, where the home team hasn’t lost for three years.
A penalty by Adrien Malavard (3-0, 3) didn’t hide a very strong start from the opposing team. After equalizing with a kick (3-3, 6), Limoges even scored the first (converted) try of the match (3-10, 11).
The Nice team had to chase the score. And very quickly, they responded. After a wide play by the three-quarters, relayed by the flanker Dean Moxham and the full-back Adrien Malavard, Arnaud Mathet scored the first try for the Azurean team, which was converted by Malavard (10-10, 13).
Limoges, with a powerful backline but a completely dominated pack, took the lead again with another penalty (10-13, 17), which was matched by Malavard (13-13, 34).
Nice developed high-flying attacks but failed to widen the gap. On the contrary, it was Limoges, on their only opportunity, who went ahead at halftime after a converted try (13-20, 37).
Despite being poorly rewarded, Boutet’s men didn’t give up. And despite two new penalties for Limoges (13-23, 35, then 13-26, 56), they reacted with strength and vigor. Because the end of the match was completely dominated by Nice.
In the 50th minute, David Penalva knocked-on a few centimeters from the try line after a remarkable effort. In the 67th minute, a misunderstanding between Josselin Lapierre, who had taken off like a rocket, and Adrien Malavard prevented them from scoring a deserved try considering the domination.
Nothing seemed to work. Nice didn’t admit defeat. And it was a magnificent collective try following a maul over 30 meters (20-26, 76) that finally gave Nice the chance to prepare for the return leg with a minimal points deficit.
In light of the match, nothing is settled yet, even if Limoges, true to their reputation, remains the favorite. Nice will fight tooth and nail on Limoges soil next week. With a possible qualification for the quarter-finals of the competition in sight.
The Nice team:
Canizares, Gaona (Faurois, 23, Viset, 78), Uipa (Kaikelikofe, 78) – Penalva (Derrstroff, 70), Derrstroff (Boukanoucha, 51) – Espagno, Moxham (Catoni, 78), Orméa – Delmonte (Guerre, 71), Mc Hugh – Lapierre, Kacharava, Keil, Mathet (Roman, 52) – Malavard
Results of other first leg of round of 16:
Massy – Lannemezan: 26-29
Bobigny – Lille: 3-15
Lavaur – Périgueux: 12-32
Bourg en Bresse – Castanet: 28-23
Béziers – Marmande: 25-22
Dijon – Tyrosse: 14-23
Montauban – Vannes: 24-20
