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Georgia claims historic victory
From correspondents in Lens, France
September 27, 2007
GEORGIA celebrated its first Rugby World Cup win after defeating Namibia 30-0 in a Pool D match at Stade Felix Bollaert in Lens, France, today.
The Europeans, who face France in their final group game, in Marseille on Sunday, scored two tries against an African side left searching for its first win after a desperately poor tournament.
Georgia, which gave Ireland a major fright before slipping to a 14-10 defeat, dominated the opening period with their grizzled forwards settling into a rhythm in the testing, wet conditions.
Fly-half Merab Kvirikashvili put Georgia 6-0 ahead with two penalty goals in the opening 20 minutes before Namibia fly half Morne Schreuder pushed wide a penalty attempt from one of his side's rare forays into the Georgia 22.
Georgia's dominant forward play was finally rewarded with a try in the 37th minute, when hooker Akvsenti Giorgadze barged his way over to give his side a 13-0 lead at the break.
Kvirikashvili missed two second-half penalties before he was successful with another attempt in the 68th minute to make the score 16-0 as the Africans tired.
Namibia paid for its lethargy when Georgia scored a second try in the 70th minute. Namibia full back Heini Bock lost the ball after a crunching tackle from Irakli Machkhaneli, who retrieved the ball and sprinted almost half the length of the field to make the score 21-0.
Kvirikashvili added the extras before centre Davit Kacharava scored a third try in the last minute after a clever interception.
Kvirikashvili's assured boot made the final score 30-0.
Agence France-Presse
"Remember lads, rugby is a team game; all 14 of you make sure you pass the ball to Giteau." 
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