This Saturday evening, the Nice team travels to Périgueux for the first day of the Nationale championship. Stade Niçois is defeated (25-14) on the field of their opponent.
The moment has finally arrived. Today officially marks the beginning of the 2023/2024 season for Stade Niçois. The championship starts away, with a trip to Périgueux. For this match, there are 17 new recruits on the team sheet. The off-season has been busy for the club, with no less than twenty-three new arrivals in the squad. The match takes place at the Stade Roger-Dantou in Périgueux.
On the CA Périgueux side, the preparation has been quite good, with three victories in as many friendly matches played. The Nice team, however, could only play one friendly match during their pre-season. They might lack some rhythm in this match.
The Nicois trailing at halftime
And it kicks off strong for the Stade Niçois! It takes the team only three minutes to score their first try and open the scoring. It’s the winger Andrzej Charlat who gets on the scoreboard in red and black. The conversion is successful (0-7). After a Nice domination, Périgueux opens their account with a penalty by fly-half Greg Hutley in the 19th minute (3-7).
However, a few minutes before halftime, CAP Périgueux turns the game around. In the 35th minute, the flanker Amosa puts his team ahead for the first time in the match, with a converted try (10-7). The Nice team was down to 14 players due to a card received by Tom Murday. The whites and blues soar in the last action before halftime with a try by Karl Lambert, on a counter (15-7). The conversion misses. As it stands, the Nicois are behind at the break after a strong start to the match.
One hour without scoring
The Périgueux players start the second half as they finished the first, with a try. The third try by the team is scored by the center Cyril Couturier. The try is converted (22-7) in the 44th minute. However, the Nicois finally respond ten minutes before the end of the match. A penalty try allows Stade Niçois to come back within eight points of their opponent (22-14).
The red and black team ends a streak of more than sixty-five minutes without scoring a single point. A new penalty increases the gap to eleven points between the two teams (25-14). The score won’t change further. Stade Niçois suffers a defeat in their first game of the season. A terrible performance for the Nice team. After a brilliant start, the Nicois faced the resurgence of their opponent.
The next match is on the field of Vienne in Isère, the second of five consecutive away matches. Kick-off next Saturday, September 2nd.
