From the opening whistle, France stamped their authority on the game. Dominant in both possession and territory, they needed no time to settle before striking the first blow. Slick interplay across the backline opened up space in midfield, and a powerful surge ended with the ball grounded under the sticks. The conversion was thundered over with ease, giving France a 7-0 lead.
Barely had Looseheadz regrouped before France were in again. This time their No.11 showed electric pace to finish a well-crafted move on the left edge. The angle made for a tough conversion, but it was struck perfectly to stretch the lead to 14-0 after just seven minutes. The speed of execution and ferocity in the tackle made it clear that France were playing at full throttle.
Looseheadz battled to find a foothold but were repeatedly met by a dominant French defence. Every carry was absorbed and countered with force, and the pressure soon told. A third French try followed, this time built on relentless forward momentum and clinical support play. With the extras added, the scoreboard read 21-0 and the match was quickly becoming one-way traffic.
France showed no signs of slowing down. A missed conversion after their fourth score offered the only let-off for Looseheadz, but the French remained ruthless. Another sweeping attack widened the gap to 33-0, the conversion calmly slotted from the tee. At this point, France looked untouchable.
However, a moment of opportunity finally came for Looseheadz when France were reduced to 14 players following a yellow card. The home side sensed their chance, upping the tempo and putting together phases that tested the shorthanded French line. But before they could truly capitalise, France once again demonstrated their class. Their fullback, wearing No.15, produced a moment of individual brilliance—blistering pace down the wing and a clinical finish underlined France’s cutting edge. The conversion, struck superbly, extended the tally to 40-0.
Looseheadz showed great determination not to fold, and their resilience was eventually rewarded as they found a way onto the scoreboard. Working through the phases with patience, they crossed for two tries in the second half, much to the delight of their supporters who had willed them on throughout.
Still, France kept the scoreboard ticking. Even with some missed kicks, their attack continued to flow and their physical dominance never wavered. Their combination of power up front and ruthless pace out wide proved a potent blend that Looseheadz could not contain.
When the final whistle sounded, the scoreboard read Vodafone Looseheadz 12 – 64 France. A convincing victory for the French side, who showcased their trademark flair, composure, and attacking efficiency. For Looseheadz, it was a tough outing, but one in which they showed grit, heart, and glimpses of what they can produce against such a formidable opponent.
Photo (c) Alligin Photography
