Pont de Beaulieu secured a 35:33 victory over Valence in the ProLigue on Thursday evening, keeping their unbeaten record intact at six matches. The away side took all three points despite playing away from home for the first time this campaign.
We had tipped the visitors to win with 57 per cent confidence, and the result confirmed that assessment. Pont de Beaulieu's consistency across six games — six wins, no draws, no defeats — made them the clear favourites on paper.
Valence sit 11th with four points from six outings, a pattern of mixed results that has defined their season so far. Their recent form included wins against Cournon-d'Auvergne and Dunkerque, but losses to Besançon and Val-d'Oise have kept them mid-table.
The visitors lead the table with twelve points, having won every fixture this term. Their last six matches read like a checklist of dominance: victories over Draguignan Var, Frontignan, Istres, Massy Essonne HB and Besançon before this trip to Valence.
The margin of two goals reflects a close contest, with Pont de Beaulieu's experience showing in the final moments. Valence pushed hard but could not find a late equaliser against the league leaders.
The result extends Pont de Beaulieu's winning run to six matches and leaves them clear at the top. Valence remain in the bottom half, still searching for consistency after four defeats in six games.