Limoges secured a narrow victory over Saint-Raphaël VHB in their Starligue fixture on Thursday evening, the final score reading 36:31. The match marked the opening round of the new campaign for both sides, with neither team having registered a point in the standings prior to kickoff.
And here's the thing — both clubs sit at zero games played, zero points, with the table offering little context beyond the fact that the season has just begun. The result shifts nothing in the standings, but it establishes a baseline for what follows.
Limoges carried momentum from their recent fixtures, having taken three wins from their last five outings across June and May. Saint-Raphaël showed similar form, winning four of their previous five matches before this encounter.
To be fair, the margin of victory tells only part of the story. A five-goal difference in what appears to be a closely contested affair suggests both sides tested each other without either pulling clear for long periods.
By then, the visitors had shown they could handle pressure in tight games, but Limoges held their ground through what looked like a disciplined defensive structure. The home side's ability to close out the match proved decisive.
The result leaves Limoges top of the table with two points, while Saint-Raphaël remain in fifth with none. The gap is minimal, but in a league where every point matters, it provides an early indication of form.