Istres secured a 34-22 victory over Draguignan Var in the Pro League on Thursday, 18 September. The away side took control early and held firm through a match that ended with a comfortable margin. Both sides arrived with identical records—three games, one win, two draws, and two points each.
Draguignan Var sit 13th while Istres occupy sixth place, a gap that reflects consistency rather than a dramatic shift in form. The visitors have drawn their opening three fixtures and picked up a single victory among five recent matches, including wins against Dijon and Provence Aix last season.
Draguignan Var came into the fixture with a mixed run. They beat Val-d'Oise 28-26 before losing to Cherbourg 37-31 and Valence 32-25. Istres, meanwhile, dropped points against Valence 33-29 and Pau-Béarn 25-24, though they have shown they can capitalise when opportunities arise.
The result leaves Istres two points clear of Draguignan Var in the standings, a small but meaningful advantage as the campaign unfolds. Neither side has tasted defeat yet, and the draw-heavy pattern suggests cautious starts across the league.
