“We had a very good first half. The contest was excellent,” said these calm words from Philippe Buchet, the coach from Nice. They summarize the match: 15-0 at the break. The gap has widened. The second period was managed by the people from Nice.
Julien Legall opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a penalty, and then doubled the score with another 40-meter penalty ten minutes later. Superior in the scrum, Nice put pressure on the Rhône-Alpes team. As the match progressed, the black and white players from Nice got better and better at chaining plays. They advanced. The hits increasingly hurt. And a multiplication of phases of play allowed them to score again: Three phases. Legall perfectly set up his fly-half Deauze, who landed a 40-meter drop goal (30th minute). Two other penalties by Julien Legall, and they reached halftime with a flattering 15-0 lead for Nice. They dominated but must remember that Annonay’s fullback missed three penalties well within his range while his counterpart succeeded in all his attempts. Apparently, Annonay didn’t have all its settings in the lineouts… Especially in the first half: no lineouts won. Few opponents will make as many gifts at the Arboras Stadium.
In the second half, possession of the ball was shared evenly. Annonay camped more often in the opponent’s 22 meters. Following a lineout won by Annonay 10 meters from the try line for the first time, the forwards linked up and propelled their flanker behind the try line. 15 to 5 at the 46th minute…
Annonay came back in the score, and Nice was within shooting range. But Legall, the enforcer, pulled the trigger and hit the target (penalties at the 65th and 68th minute). 21 to 5. The match now had its winner: Nice. Annonay, in a last burst of honor, camped in the 22 meters in the last ten minutes. The defense from Nice repelled the last assaults from the opponent. At the 78th minute, the ubiquitous Julien Legall completed his masterpiece of a match by blocking a clearance from Annonay. He scored and converted the try. Final score: 28 to 5.
It does not reflect the difference in level between the two teams. The rugby players from Ardèche can return disappointed from their trip to the Maritime Alps. But during the long return journey, they will analyze their defeat. They will deduce two priorities: to improve their lineout contest (none won in the first half) and score when they have the opportunity.
Nice was solid. The people from Nice respected the fundamentals: contest and ball retention. The Arboras crowd supported them from start to finish. The rugby fans, of course, but also the supporters of Gym who came to support and encourage their rugby mates. Nice should not forget that the score is still flattering. Humility and fight are the watchwords for the people from Nice. They will have to be throughout the season. This first match reaffirms the stated ambitions. To be confirmed next week in Mandelieu, in the Côte d’Azur derby…
Vincent Trinquat