Nantes secured a comfortable 31-24 victory over Dunkerque at home in the Starligue on Saturday evening. The result extended the visitors' unbeaten start to the campaign, while the hosts remain winless after five matches.
Nantes had already established themselves as one of the early form teams, sitting second with six points from four games. Dunkerque, meanwhile, were bottom of the table with a single point drawn from their opening four fixtures. The visitors made no mistake in converting their advantage.
The final score told the story of a match Nantes controlled from start to finish. Seven goals separating the sides reflected the gap in class, and the visitors kept knocking on the door with consistent attacking play. Dunkerque's defence could not match the intensity required at this level.
The outcome confirms what many observers had anticipated before kick-off. The prediction of a guest victory carried 68 per cent confidence, and Nantes delivered exactly that. The result was no surprise to those following the form guide closely.
For Dunkerque, the defeat means five consecutive matches without a win. They have lost four and drawn one, accumulating just a single point so far. The pressure will mount as they look to turn things around before the winter break.
Nantes now sit second, one point behind the league leaders after four rounds. Their unbeaten record includes three victories and one draw, and this away win demonstrates they can compete on the road as well as at home.
