USON Nevers delivered a brilliant performance this Friday evening at the Pré Fleuri stadium, dominating Mont-de-Marsan with a clear score of 34 to 0. This success, which allows the Nivernais to gain ground in the fight for the maintenance, perfectly illustrates their realism against a Mons team which multiplied the chances without ever realizing it.
This was not really the expected scenario. While Patrick Milhet and his staff lined up an attractive team at kick-off, the Montois were picked off from the start by the Nivernais who set the tone from the start by relying on formidable efficiency.
The Nivernais opened the scoring in the first minutes thanks to a penalty from Reynolds, before putting on an impressive team game. They then confirmed their domination with two tries. The first, scored by Ma’afu, highlighted the power of the Nivernais pack on an unstoppable ball carried (17th). The second, an anthology try by Mayo, was the culmination of a dazzling counter-attack started 90 meters from the opposing goal.
Mont-de-Marsan, although well established in the opposing camp at times, failed to realize its few opportunities, between clumsiness and questionable choices. With a 20-0 advantage at the break, Xavier Péméja’s men already seemed capable of winning.
A lesson in realism
In the second half, however, the visitors camped in the opposing 22m for almost twenty minutes. Despite this territorial domination, indiscipline and repeated finishing errors condemned the Montois, unable to cross the goal line. Conversely, the Nivernais made perfect use of their rare forays, notably thanks to a sublime pass at the foot of Reynolds for Mathiron, author of the third try (62nd).
The evening ended in apotheosis with a fourth try scored by Jules-Rosette, freshly entered into play, following an irresistible carried ball (69th). With a perfect performance at the foot (14 points), Reynolds was one of the key men in this improved victory which allowed Nevers to distance itself from the red zone.
On the Mons side, the end of the match was the symbol of Mons’ difficulties. The Landais finished fanny, unable to make it happen. In fact, the Montois multiplied the errors, losing numerous throws in touch. The visitors could have benefited from a penalty try at the very end of the match, after Mayo received a yellow for a deliberate kick-in, but this flash could not erase a worrying defeat. This setback reveals worrying weaknesses.
Two distinct dynamics
With this victory, USON Nevers delivers an electric shock to its maintenance mission. The Nivernais collective showed that it could rely on a solid conquest, a pragmatic game and a scorer with surgical precision. Facing direct competitors, this meeting could well mark a decisive turning point in their season. As for Mont-de-Marsan, it will be necessary to react quickly to find a place in the race for the final stages.
After the final whistle, the Nivernais were able to celebrate a perfect evening with their supporters, the Montois, dejected, left the Pré Fleuri brooding over the missed opportunities of a nightmarish meeting. Quite a symbol.
