Wales hearts were broken after France clinched a last-gasp draw in the second pool game in the final round of the IRB World Series Emirates Airline Cardiff Sevens at the Millennium Stadium.
The host nation had the perfect start when Emyr Lewis shrugged off two tackles and skipped down the line to crash over.
They then extended their lead when Craig Richards carved open the French defence to register the second try of the match. Arwel Thomas improved as Wales raced into a sizeable 12-0 lead.
However, France exerted considerable pressure in the second period and were rewarded after Jerome Daret produced a moment of magic to touch down.
And then in the last minute Wales were dealt a hammer blow when Sylvain Mottet blitzed through the Wales defence to draw the scores level.
Worse could have followed, but Benazech missed the conversion to secure victory for France.
Scorers
Wales: Tries: Emyr Lewis, Craig Richards; Con: Arwel Thomas
France: Tries: Jerome Daret, Sylvain Mottet; Con: Frederic Benazech
