Despite their home victory against Biarritz (42-41), Stade Niçois is officially relegated to the National division for next season.
To keep their hopes alive, Stade Niçois needed to win with an offensive bonus. However, despite a good start in the first half, the home team couldn’t maintain the temporary bonus they acquired. The beginning of the match favored the Niçois; in the first 20 minutes, Alexis Bouton and his teammates scored three tries. The young Niçois scored the first try of his burgeoning career in the azure jersey.
However, Biarritz didn’t give up and crossed the try line to get back into the match. After 30 minutes of play, Nice led 28 to 13 and had the offensive bonus. A visitor’s try in the added time of the first 40 minutes allowed them to stay within reach. The halftime score was 28-18.
A second half full of emotion
Coming back from the locker room, the flanker Jordan Tofua scored a double, giving the Nice team a comfortable cushion. But, as often this season, after this try, Nice experienced a lapse allowing Biarritz back into the game. The home team committed several fouls, granting their opponents easy penalties. They even conceded two tries to former Top 14 player Mathieu Acebes. Luckily for Alexandre Compan’s men, the Biarritz kicker missed the conversion, keeping the Niçois in the game.
With five minutes remaining, young Alexis Bouton planted his second try for his first double and brought Nice within two points of Biarritz. And at the buzzer, the Niçois fullback Menoret succeeded with the ultimate penalty in the corner, securing the fifth victory of the season for Stade Niçois. Even though they are already condemned, the Niçois players show courage and determination in every outing and can hold their heads high after this first season in the shadows of the Top 14.