http://www.rlef.eu.com/newsstory.php?id=137
GEORGIA 0 FRANCE 60 - Vake Stadium, Tbilisi
Ten-try France were given a more than useful workout in preparation for next weeks European Nations Cup Final against the Welsh in a cold and wet Tbilisi by a committed and enthusiastic Georgian side who have made impressive strides in their debut campaign.
Unlike last week in Russia, when the Lelos seemed overawed by their more experienced opponents, the Georgians were highly competitive early on and were undone by the sublime talents of stand off Maxime Greseque who posted 32 of Les Chanticleers points courtesy of three tries and an impeccable ten goals.
Overall, there was much to admire for the passionate crowd in the open air stadium and for the watching fans on Georgian television which heavily promoted the contest through a series of commercials and a poster campaign around the capital and took the match live.
Georgias first possession saw them just fall short with a field goal attempt to rally the
fans, Greseque taking advantage in the seventh minute when he cleverly exploited an overlap to go over by the posts.
The Georgian forwards unashamedly took the game to their more illustrious opponents, skipper Vakhtang Akhvlediani setting a fine lead for the next quarter of an hour; Greseque again catching them off guard, a spell of sustained pressure over three sets of six seeing him scoot over from acting half back from ten metres out.
A Georgian knock-on again presented further good field position for the visitors, seasonal debutant Teddy Saddaoui powering over on the right.
A minute before the break, Greseques towering cross field kick eluded everyone, Freddy Zitter the first to react and pounce in the corner, Greseque landing the touch line conversion to make it 24-0 at the interval.
Six minutes into the second half, Olivier Charles showed great presence to slide in at the left corner before Greseque again showed his skills with another break down the left and just as he seemed to have been shepherded into touch, his kick infield bounced fortunately for Gregory Mounis to gather and cross.
Charles claimed his brace after more concerted French pressure and a fine scrum move had outflanked the home cover and good forward play created an overlap in the 70th minute for Saddaoui to post a second touchdown.
Greseques individual brilliance brought up the half century and his hat trick try, a Georgian pass going to ground as they attacked the visiting line and the diminutive Pia half back hacking on three times in a glorious 70metre run.
With the home defence tiring and stretched, Zitters pace took him over for the final score four minutes from time of an entertaining and illuminating clash.
Tournament Director Graeme Thompson commented, The Georgians have progressed very quickly from the qualifying tournament and even last week against the Russians. They have the raw material and coped athletically, they just need more of this kind of exposure to keep developing, we have introduced a new nation to the code. They performed very creditably against country that has been playing for around 70 years. This was a useful exercise for the French, they regarded it as a worthwhile experience, there was something in it for everyone.
