After the defeat at Aurillac (42-10), Nivernais manager Xavier Péméja felt that his players – “children with shields” – were choosing their matches. Dax, in any case, had checked off his trip to Nièvre. Inflated by a Landes derby dominated from head to toe at Jean-Dauger (40-11, November 16), the Dacquois offered themselves a second away success this season in Nevers (24-31), after the one snatched in Valence-Romans, on September 6 (29-32).
Concerned from the start, the red and white opened the scoring after a good touch and thanks to one of their men in form, the second row Jean-Baptiste Singer, author of his third try of the season (0-7, 4e) and symbol of a continuity forced by the infirmary. But the USON response came quickly, after a small succession of Dacquoise errors and some forward work (Ma'afu, 7th, 5-7). The Landes indiscipline (four penalties in eleven minutes) then continued and tarnished a very serious start. Nevers, rather realistic, took advantage of this by signing his second try (Tarel, 13th, 10-7) on his second penalty.
Captain Arnaud Aletti, here with ball in hand, worked in defense.
P. DESTRADE / PHOTOPQR/JOURNAL DU CENTER
While Dax was getting back on track with his good start, yellow and blue flanker Noah was sent off ten minutes for a judo tackle and hold on Théo Duprat. Although in numerical superiority, the white and gold (no red on the evening tunic) wasted two great opportunities, including their second throw of the first period. Their audacity, because it was tinged with haste, took time to pay off.
Millimeter diagonals
After 32 minutes of immobility, the score of the Dacquois moved by the foot of Séguy: first against the goals (36th), then in a precise diagonal for his winger Maxime Oltmann (40th), who became the only top scorer of his team with four goals (10-15 at the break). The former Usap opener did it again in the second half and on the other side, this time for his third wing line Paul Ausset (10-20, 49th).
His boot, although fallible (nine escaped points in total), then made the Nivernais dizzy, entangled until the hour of play in their camp and even trailing behind by fifteen points since Théo Gatelier's try (10- 25, 58e). It was too much for the locals, who reignited the suspense thanks to an achievement, somewhat given by the Dacquois, from Mataradze (17-25, 60th).
Cerisier takes over from Séguy
Tired of encouraging away defeats, the USD held on, with courage. She was determined to taste again this unique flavor of victory, previously forgotten and rediscovered in Jean-Dauger, according to manager Jeff Dubois. Also back, after a distension of a knee ligament, the opener Hugo Cerisier, thanks to two good penalties (67th and 70th), restored the appearance of a break (17-31). Faced with a strong Dacquoise defense, the worst attack in the championship was never able to completely close the gap in the score despite a fourth try scored by Pkhakadze (24-31, 78th).
P. DESTRADE / PHOTOPQR/JOURNAL DU CENTER
Very prominent in the first period, Noah Nene came off at the break, after complaining about his back.
Last season, Dax paid dearly for his trip to Nièvre, losing his two Jean-Baptiste (Singer and Barrère) in his quarter-final, who were expelled. A frustrating trip, now avenged: while Dax is quietly entering the first part of the table, Nevers, beaten for the third time at home, is sinking into crisis.
Several injured
The other side of the coin is that US Dax has undoubtedly swelled the ranks of its infirmary. Already barely spared from injuries, the Landes club successively lost Noah Nene (back pain), Théo Tremeau (head and chest pain), Nephi Leatigaga (muscle discomfort) and Jean-Baptiste Singer (injured ribs). The exit of the last city was compensated at the time but it was not reassuring, especially in view of the arrival of Biarritz, next week, and while the second line of the red and white already deplores several absentees (Manukula , Guillaume, Bidau).
Nevers 24 – Dax 31
Lieu Nevers (Pré-Fleuri stadium). Arbitrator M. Carrillo. Half time 10-15.
NEVERS Points 4 tries of Ma'afu (7th), Tarel (13th), Mataradze (60th), Pkhakadze (78th); 2 Reynolds transforms (60th, 78th)
Yellow card Noah (21st, dangerous play)
The team Jaminet (Tarel, 76e) – Rocher (Mathiron, 50e), Derrieux (cap.), Ragoevi, Blanc – (o) Reynolds, (m) Tarel (Bouyssou, 50e) – Noah (David, 50e), Fraser (Kazubek, 65e), Plataret – Gabriel (Jaiani, 57e), Barjaud – Kundiona (Pkhakadze, 47e), Ma'afu (Jules-Rosette, 65e), Kitutu (Mataradze, 47e)
DAX Points 4 tries from Singer (4th), Oltmann (40th), Ausset (49th), Gatelier (58th); 1 transformation from Séguy (4th); 3 penalties from Séguy (36th) and Cerisier (67th, 70th)
The team Duprat – Oltmann, Puntous, Nene (Fourquet, 41st), Gatelier – (o) Séguy (Cerisier, 61st), (m) Reteau (Ravier, 61st) – Aletti (cap., Nacika, 57th), Wasley (Trémeau, 57th , Aletti, 70th), Ausset – Singer (Wasley, 70th, L. Barrère, 76th), Ferrer – Lolohea (Leatigaga, 47th, Lolohea 62nd), L. Barrère (Falatea, 47th), Casadeï (Mary 2nd, Casadeï, 18th, Mary 47th)
