At the end of a great team performance, Stade Niçois defeated Chambéry, the second team in Nationale, 25-13.
The Niçois were looking for a benchmark match to kickstart their season, and they likely found it yesterday late afternoon in the “icebox” of Arboras.
Their victory mainly came from an aggressive defense that didn’t commit too many fouls and some standout performances, particularly from kicker Ricquebourg (20 points) and prop Lemaire in Hulk mode, impeccable in the scrum and scoring a powerful try that turned the game.
The Azuréens quickly took the lead thanks to the boot of their fly-half Simon Ricquebourg (100% with one conversion and six penalties). The visitors narrowed it to just two points by halftime (15-13) following a converted try by Cebe (40’). This was not enough to unsettle the Niçois, who came back from the locker room with determination. Nicolas Lemaire scored the sole Niçois try of the game after excellent work from the forwards (58’).
Starting XV: Lemaire, Martin, Shatirishvili – Koroi, Fontaine – Suaud, Tachat (captain), Mace – Bessaguet (scrum-half), Ricquebourg (fly-half) – Slowik, Torfs, Delage, Alessi, Le Gal;
Substitutes: Vola, Alkhazashvili, Rey, Freytes, Ormaechea, Verdu, Zambelli, Johnston;
Try: Lemaire (58’); Conversion: Ricquebourg (59’); Penalties: Ricquebourg (6’, 20’, 22’, 25’, 33’, and 66’).
