Wales secured the top spot on the Pool C log with six tries to the three of Georgia in a match where Georgia came very close to upset Wales. Wales won 43-19 against Georgia with the score maybe not a true reflection of Georgia's effort and passion.
Tomas Francis barged his way over the tryline to put Wales 07-00 in the lead following fifteen minutes of action, with both teams having several scoring opportunities.
Quick hands by Wales' backs created space out wide for Liam Williams to score Wales' second try of the match to lead 14-00. A converted penalty added by Sam Costelow increased Wales' lead to 17-00 with thirteen minutes still to play in first half.
Georgia upped their effort on the attack and set up camp in the Wales' red zone for several minutes. Following several forwards trying their lack the ball was moved to the backline when captain Merab Sharikadze barged his way past several defenders to score Georgia's first try.
Wales led 17-07 going into the second half with the match still evenly balanced, despite the score.
Louis Rees-Zammit scored Wales' third try following a loose pass by Georgia on the attack, which was controlled by George North and spread wide.
Georgia once again upped their effort on the attack and dominated for most of the first twenty minutes. Vano Karkadze scored from the back of a 5m lineout-maul to reduce Wales' lead to 24-14 after twenty minutes of play in the first half.
Two minutes later Davit Niniashvili cut through the would-be defence of Wales out wide to score Georgia's third try to trial 19-24.
Wales relied almost immediately when Louis Rees-Zammit followed up a kick upfield by Liam Williams and scored Wales' bonus point try to lead 31-19. The bonus point secured Wales topping the Group C log no matter the result of this match.
Louis Rees-Zammit followed up another kick upfield and scored his third try of the match with six minutes still to play. George North scored Wales' sixth try out wide to secure a 41-19 win.
Scorers:
Wales: Tries: Tomas Francis, Liam Williams, Louis Rees-Zammit (3), George North. Conversions: Sam Costelow (5). Penalty: Sam Costelow.
Georgia: Try: Merab Sharikadze, Vano Karkadze, Davit Niniashvili. Conversions: Luka Matkava (2).
Teams:
Wales: 1 Gareth Thomas, 2 Dewi Lake (c), 3 Tomas Francis, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Sam Costelow, 11 Rio Dyer, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 George North, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 15 Liam Williams. Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Christ Tshiunza, 20 Taine Basham, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Mason Grady.
Georgia: 1 Guram Gogichashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 3 Beka Gigashvili, 4 Nodar Cheishvili, 5 Konstantine Mikautadze, 6 Mikheil Gachechiladze, 7 Beka Saginadze, 8 Tornike Jalagonia, 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze, 10 Luka Matkava, 11 Davit Niniashvili, 12 Merab Sharikadze (c), 13 Giorgi Kveseladze, 14 Akaki Tabutsadze, 15 Lasha Khmaladze. Replacements: 16 Vano Karkadze, 17 Nika Abuladze, 18 Irakli Aptsiauri, 19 Vladimer Chachanidze, 20 Giorgi Tsutskiridze, 21 Gela Aprasidze, 22 Tedo Abzhandadze, 23 Demur Tapladze.
