6NB: Georgia burst clear

In Tblissi on Saturday afternoon Georgia beat neighbours Romania 28-23 in a European Nations Cup match which doubles as qualifier for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The victory shot the Lelos to the top of the so-called Six Nations B with one match to be played in the first round of this competition which is played over two rounds. The victory earned the Lelos the Antim Cup and puts them in a strong position to be one of the two teams from the group to go directly to New Zealand in 2011.

The victory is not surprising as the Georgians have, by and large, their first-choice players while several experienced Romanians stayed with their French clubs. But there was sufficient evidence from Romania that they are still a power in the competition. After all their weakened side ran the Georgians close.

The big matches this weekend is between Russia and Georgia, a match down for the Ukraine, and between Romania and Portugal in Bucharest. At the moment Russia and Portugal look the biggest threat to Georgian ambitions but the Romanians could well bite back.

There are five matches for each team this season with another five next season. Spain have played their five, Russia has two to go and the others have each played four.

Spain and Germany would seem to be out of the running.

Spain went to Lisbon to meet their Iberian rivals with still some hope of qualifying but again they came second.

The log at present is:

1 Georgia 11
2 Russia 9
3 Portugal 9
4 Romania 8
5 Spain 7
6 Germany 4
 
Georgia vs Romania, 28-23

It had rained before the match but the start to the match could hardly have been livelier. At the end of 10 minutes the score was 13-10 to Romania, and both sides had scored a try. The scoring became more sedate after that. At half-time Georgia led 15-13.

Just before half-time the two hookers, Irakli Natriashvili and Florin Tasca, got close and angry and were sent to the sin bin.

With six minutes to play the Lelos led 28-16. With the match virtually over the Oaks tapped a penalty and outside centre Adrian Barbuliceanu scored his second try. Romania started well and ended well but in between the Georgians dominated.

Scorers:

For Georgia:
Tries: Machkhaneli 2, Urjukashvili
Cons: Kvirikashvili, Malaghuradze
Pens: Kvirikashvili, Malaghuradze 2

For Romania:
Tries: Barbuliceanu 2
Cons: Calafeteanu 2
Pens: Calafeteanu 3

Teams

Georgia: 15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Irakli Machkhaneli, 13 David Katcharava, 12 Tedo Zibzibadze, 11 Malkhaz Urjukashvili, 10 Lasha Malaghuradze, 9 Irakli Abusseridze (c), 8 Mamuka Gorgodze, 7 George Chkhaidze, 6 Grigol Labadze, 5 Rati Urushadze, 4 Levan Datunashvili, 3 Goderdzi Shvelidze, 2 Irakli Natriashvili, 1 David Khinchaguishvili
Replacements: 16 Anton Peikrishvili, 17 David Kubriashvili, 18 Kakha Uchava, 19 Dimitri Bassilaia, 20 Bidzina Samkharadze, 21 Sandro Todua, 22 Otar Barkalaia

Romania: 15 Florin Vlaicu, 14 Catalin Nicolae, 13 Adrian Barbuliceanu, 12 . Ionut Dimofte, 11 . Ionut Botezatu, 10 Razvan Stanca, 9 Vali Calafeteanu, 8 Costica Mersoiu, 7 Alexandru Tudori, 6 Stelian Burcea ©, 5 Cosmin Ratiu, 4 Alin Coste, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Florin Tasca, 1 Nicolae Nere
Replacements: 16 Catalin Beca, 17 Mihaita Lazar, 18 Valentin Popirlan, 19 Mihai Macovei, 20 Daniel Carpo, 21 Catalin Dascalu, 22 Stefan Ciuntu

Referee: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Touch judges: Iain Heard (Scotland), Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)
Match Commissioner: Greg Borkowski (Poland)

Portugal vs Spain, 24-19

The Leones were just two points behind the Lobos when Pedro Leal kicked a penalty goal in the last minute of the close encounter in Lisbon. Spain still had a chance to score but an error ended the match.

Actually Portugal had laid the foundation for victory with a great first half, which they ended leading 18-6.

Scorers:

For Portugal:
Tries: Girão 2
Con: Cabral
Pens: Cabral 4

For Spain:
Try: Sempere
Con: Gratton
Pens: Palumbo 2, Gratton
Drop: Palumbo

Teams

Portugal: 15 Pedro Leal , 14 David Mateus, 13 Pedro Silva, 12 Diogo Mateus, 11 Gonçalo Foro, 10 Pedro Cabral , 9 José Pinto, 8 Tiago Girão, 7 Salavador Palha, 6 Vasco Uva, 5 Goncalo Uva, 4 David Penalva, 3 Ruben Spachuck, 2 Joao Correia (c), 1 Juan Murré
Replacements: 16 Joao Junior, 17 Nuno Taful 18 Juan Samoza 19 Julien Bardy 20 Joao Uva 21 Duarte Cardoso Pinto 22 Aderito Esteves

Spain: 15 César Sempere, 14 Juan Cano, 13 Javier Canosa (c), 12 Jaime Nava, 11 Ignacio Martin, 10 Jeremias Palumbo, 9 Mathieu Lopez, 8 Damien Elgoyhen, 7 Julien Tourtoulou, 6 Juan Gonzalez, 5 César Bernasconi, 4 Leandro Federico Aramburu, 3 Javier Salazar, 2 José Maria Bohorquez, 1 Ion Insausti
Replacements: 16 Diego Zarzosa, 17 Marco Pinto, 18 Guillermo Barcena 19. Sergio Guerrero, 20 Mickael Lopez, 21 Mathieu Gratton, 22 Matias Tudela

Referee: Guilio De Santis (Italy)
Touch judges: Alan Falzone (Italy), Simone Colantonio (Italy)
Match Commissioner: Robert Antonin