Stade Niçois failed to surprise Oyonnax during this seventeenth day of Pro D2. Despite an encouraging start, the locals succumbed to the visitors, who left with a bonus-point victory (15-33).
Stade Niçois, promoted to Pro D2 this season, hoped to end a series of nine consecutive defeats. Facing Oyonnax, a strong contender for the finals, Alexandre Compan’s players showed good intentions in a match held at Marcel Volot Stadium. However, the gap in the rankings between the two teams ended up being reflected on the scoreboard.
The match started with a bang, with a try in the 6th minute for Oyonnax. A superb combination between Ruru and Bogado allowed the Oyonnax full-back to score thanks to a perfectly executed behind-the-back pass. Gimbert, usually reliable with his kicking, missed an initial penalty for Nice, letting an opportunity to respond slip by.
The response from Nice did not take long. Laurans took advantage of a powerful charge from Powell to score a try converted by Gimbert, bringing the teams level (7-7). Unfortunately for the home side, Oyonnax regained the lead before halftime, thanks to a try from Qadiri who managed to fend off two defenders before grounding the ball. At halftime, the visitors led (14-7).
Oyonnax imposes its rule in the second half
Back from the locker room, Nice returned with determination. A successful penalty by Gimbert reduced the score to (10-14). But this reduction in the gap would be short-lived. In five minutes, Oyonnax scored another try through Mensa, at the end of a series of quick and precise passes. This try gave the visitors breathing room, and they were no longer troubled.
The rest of the match turned in favor of the Oyonnax team, who added two additional tries, the first by Mensa and the second by Ikpefan, taking advantage of Nice’s defensive lapses. Nice, brave to the end, managed to reduce the gap thanks to a try by Erasmus, well served by a behind-the-back pass from Auradou. However, this spectacular action was not enough to reverse the trend.
With this bonus-point victory (15-33), Oyonnax climbed to ninth place in the standings and reinforced its ambition to participate in the finals. On the other hand, the situation for Stade Niçois becomes critical. With only 17 points on the board and 13 points behind the first non-relegation spot, the team seems condemned to return to the Nationale next season. Murday’s teammates will nevertheless have to continue fighting to save face in a season to forget.