France finals contenders?

India v France

France 14.15 (99) def India 1.2 (8)

India Tigers headed into the match winless having lost to New Zealand, Sweden and China in their opening three matches. While on the other hand, France Coqs had only recorded one win for the tournament - a comprehensive 109-point victory over struggling Timor-Leste.

India looked electric early continually pumping the ball into their forward 50 and they were rewarded when Prakash Kailasanathan (#18) goaled, the first for the match.

But before they had enough time to celebrate France hit back straight away through Ludovic Galiana (#98) and then Gregoire Patacq (#13) to go into the first break with a seven point lead.

When France found their kicking boots they looked unstoppable. A four goal second-quarter to nil set up a commanding 34-point lead at halftime and they continued on with it in the second half.

With India’s playing stocks low (they were down to 17 fit men for the majority of the match), the side simply couldn’t keep up with their European opponents.

As they had done in their previous match, France piled on the goals in the second half.

They raced out to a comfortable 70-point lead at three-quarter-time which was extended to 91 points when the last siren sounded.

One of the plays of the day was a 150 metre, nine bounces solo effort by Wilfried Houvion (#9) who set up his teammate for a magnificent goal.

France has now kicked 31 goals in their last two games (17 against Timor-Leste) and will be full of confidence heading into the Division 2 finals series in Melbourne next week.

France
Goal kickers: G Patacq 3, W Teissier 2, J Foirien 2, L Galiana 2, W Houviono 2, R Bonnay, J Griner, C Jan-Mahamad
Best players: W Houvion, W Teissier, G Patacq, C Jan-Mahamad, J Robert-Theis, A Schieber

India
Goal kickers: P Kailasanathan
Best players: J Himat, V Richie, D Kaushik, J D’Moore, J Akhtar, D Ross

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