France set up dramatic final day as the beat the Pacific Islands
France's man of the match Gregory Tiquet took just 13 minutes to open his side's account in their Student Rugby League World Cup match in Brisbane, Australia.

The match, played at the city's Griffiths University's Nathan Campus, saw France bounce back from their opening game defeat by England at the Suncorp Stadium on Sunday as a curtain-raiser to the Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks match.

Robin Villa converted and the French went on to score their points regularly throughout the match.

Eight minutes later Bruno Pezet touched down with Villa converting again. But seven minutes later Pezet found himself in the bin for persistently being offisde and referee IanMcGregor (GB) lost patience with the Frenchman. And just before the break Danny Villa added a penalty to see his side into a 14-0 lead.

Things got worse for the Islands side on the restart when with only five minutes gone Sylvain Teixido left defenders floundering in his wake as he dodged his way in for a fine solo try. Robin Vila was on target to add the extra points.

Bruno Ormeno turned the screw a little tighter with 12 minutes to go when he shot over the Islanders' line and with Robin Vila converting the try once again before adding a penalty when Tiquet was obstructed by David Tronc there was going to be no way back for the Pacific team.

But 28-0 down they forced their way on to the score-sheet with a converted try from

Ramon Filipini with two minutes to go converted by Sione Fukofuka.

Matchfacts:
France 28 Pacific Islands 6

France: Mohamed Chabbi; Bruno Ormeno, Simon Latournerie, Christophe Calegari, Robin Villa; Gregory Tiquet, Sebastien Hascoet; Romaric Bemba, Romain Dintilhac, Nicholas Bouillet, Thomas Valette, Mathieu Almarcha, Guillaume Reffle. Subs (all used) Andrew Bentley, Jonathan Laskowski, Marc Osmont, D.Pelet, Sylvain Teixido, Danny Villa.
Tries: Tiquet (13), Pelet (21), Teixido (45), Ormeno (68).
Goals: Robin Villa 5, Danny Villa 1

Pacific Islands: Paul Srama; Helmy Wilshire, Eddie Alia, Ramon Filipine, Sam Vauvalaau; Sione Fukofuka, Josh Stowers; David Tronc, Luke Srama, Peter Pulou, John Reece, Liu Faamate, Reggie Perenama. Subs (all used) Bruno Schwartz, Bobby Makau, Nic Williams, Junior Alesana.
Try: Ramon Filipini. Goal: Sione Fukofuka.

Scoring sequence:6-0; 12-0; 14-0; 20-0; 26-0; 28-0; 28-6.

Men of the match:
France: Greogory Tiquet - non stop display for a second match in succession.
Pacific Islands: Luke Srama - busy player who tried to keep his side going forward and worked hard in defence.
Gamebreaker: Sylvain Teixido's individual try took the French too far away from the Islanders' grasp.
Referee: Ian McGregor (GB)

Article by Chris Leak
6 Jul 2005