This match was announced as the big event of the weekend. Stade Niçois, first in pool 10, was traveling to Martigues, the second before this day! On one side, the Martigues team was coming off four consecutive victories and was determined to take the lead in the pool. On the other side, the Niçois were prepared to play a match where physical commitment and combat would be the watchwords.
In this context, the Niçois responded from the start of the match with commitment. The red and blacks imposed long sequences of play on their opponents, who conceded a penalty that was converted by Adrien Malavard. Immediately, the locals responded, and following a surge on a gap on the left side, they secured a penalty.
In compliance with the instructions, the Niçois relied on good field occupation and solid defense. Appropriately, the first try of the match came following a new kick under which the red and yellows fumbled, leading to the first Niçois try. After a second penalty, the players led 13 to 3 and started to forget about aggressiveness and defensive organization. Overwhelmed in the mauls, they conceded a yellow card for repeated offenses, and the Provençals took the opportunity to score a try. The score was 13 to 8 for the Niçois at halftime.
The second act resumed following a dressing down by the coach Grégory Baldacchino, who sensed his team had dropped in intensity. A period where sequences of play followed one another, but defenses held firm. A new penalty by the Niçois followed, 16 to 8 for the Azuréens, but the match was about to change… First, when Adrien Malavard conceded a yellow card for disputing, the Martigues kicker didn’t hesitate to bring his team within 5 points. This incident provided extra motivation to the locals, but right after the restart following a new long sequence, the Niçois obtained another penalty, converted by Thomas Sorreaux. A few minutes later, a new yellow card for the Niçois’ Benjamin Musso brought Martigues back to 5 points.
Driven by a reserve team (victorious 50 to 10 just before) and an exemplary fighting spirit, the Niçois players endeavored to keep the ball to pass these long minutes playing 13 against 15… Grégory Baldacchino stressed: “I am satisfied we won, but I must emphasize the courage of the players who remained united during the period we played with 13.” The referee blew the final whistle on a last penalty by the victorious Niçois, 25 to 14, satisfied with the feeling of having done the job but “aware that despite the victory, some adjustments will be necessary this week before hosting Aubagne.” Now attention turns to the preparation for the match against Aubagne, which will be decisive for first place…
