Premiership XV 32 - 36 Georgia

I just got back from tonights game, and from memory I think Maesteg wanted me to give a quick write up of what happened.

To be honest I think most people expected the Premiership side to get smashed, but it was anything but that situation. The Premiership side were the better team throughout the game, with greater skill levels. the main difference between the sides was simply organised defense.

Georgia made it into the Premierships half about 3 times in the first half and annoyingly came away with 3 tries, while the Premiership side were unable to break down the defense or annoyingly the Georgians simply gave away penalties instead of conceding tries. At half time the Premiership side actually led 22-21, while near the end it was 32-33 to Georgia with them slotting their first penalty of the game in the last few minutes to give them the 4 point margin. In fact it was only late in the second half that Georgia scored 2 quick fire tries to get ahead and give them a solid lead, the Premiership side pulled a great try back, but were unable to go on and win the game.

I guess the best thing about Premiership games is you normally see a lot of points, the worst thing is that this is because the defense is normally bloody terrible and tonight was no different, I lost count of the times I saw a Georgian player make a break and wondered when / if anyone was going to put a tackle in. I actually saw the Georgian scrum half run through half the Premiership team to score in the first half, and he was a tiny guy! I also put that down to the team being thrown together a bit like a Barbarians team so perhaps there were not much time to work on defense as much as they would of hoped.

One thing you may be suprised at is the premiership side smashed the Georgian scrum all game, and probably edged the line outs too.

There were some really classy Premiership talent on view though, Man of the match, captain and Lock forward Haydn Pugh from Carmarthen Quins looks a really talented player. any region needing an aggressive, big lock forward who dominates line outs and inspires his players need look no further he was brilliant tonight! He's the closest thing to Ian Evans I have ever seen.

Another potential star in the making is left wing Lee Rees from Llandovery, he is very similar to Shane Williams, he was running rings round Georgian players all game, and it got to the point where the Georgians resorted to hitting late off the ball just so they made contact with him, because they had no chance when he had the ball running at them. If he is part of the Scarlets academy then I can see us seeing a lot more of him over the next few seasons.

The other stand out Welsh player was Fly Half, Cross Keys / Newport Gwent Dragons fly half Steffen Jones, pretty much we all know about him anyway but his goal kicking was fantastic he didn't miss any, from all distances and all angles the ball sailed through the posts.

The final player who deserves a mention is the scrum half, the match day program has him listed as David Pritchard of Aberavon, however I'm 99% certain that when the team was announced over the tanoy a different name was given, so his identity will have to wait until an official report is written up. Who ever he was he looks a class scrum half, no messing around at the rucks, the ball was straight out and the backs were flying because of it. A quick thinking scrum half with a great pass is a rarity in Welsh rugby these days but this kid looks like he had all the tools.

Bthere you go a great night, a lot of great rugby and lots of tries.

Alyn, can you post the actual XV and the try scorers?

p.s. Nice to see Steffan Jones still being managed between his Club and Region well. I don't see why they don't do this with more players in all 4 Regions. Will Steffan Jones be playing the B & I cup quarter final?

Brilliant thank you Alyn

Morgannwg wrote:Alyn, can you post the actual XV and the try scorers?

p.s. Nice to see Steffan Jones still being managed between his Club and Region well. I don't see why they don't do this with more players in all 4 Regions. Will Steffan Jones be playing the B & I cup quarter final?

Yeah he will because Dragons are weekend off. But I know Keys are going on about their other flyhalf (I think it's Dean Gunter), so there is backup there.

Well done the Premiership side and hard lines over the result.

A last gasp try by Llandovery's Sam Sole got the Premiership XV back to within score of their Georgian visitors at the Brewery Field, Bridgend, but they finally went down 35-32.

The boot of Cross Keys and Dragons outside half Steffan Jones kept the home team in touch with their powerful visitors in the first-half. While Jones was on target with five penalties and a conversion of Bridgend star Matthew Llewellyn's try, the Georgian's notched three converted tries.
That slender one point lead for the home side didn't last long in the second half as the Georgians notched a fourth and then fifth try. Both were converted, while Richard Carter landed a sixth penalty for the Premiership XV.

The final onslaught earned Sole his try and Aberavon marksman Jamie Davies added the extras to cut the gap to three points. But the Georgians held out in the final few minutes and took the victory.

"It was a great exercise for the Premiership players and proved just how much talent there is in this league. They competed in every area of the game and the Cross Keys front row were outstanding," said Wayne Hall, the Premiership XV team manager.

"There was a rousing finish to the game thanks to Sam Sole's try and the 1,000+ crowd certainly enjoyed a good night of entertainment. The Georgian XV was very strong up front and showed how much the game is developing in their country.

"Our captain, Haydn Pugh, put in a great shift in the second row for us and really led by example. It would be great to have a few more fixtures of this standard for teams in the Principality Premiership."

"Our captain, Haydn Pugh, put in a great shift in the second row for us and really led by example. It would be great to have a few more fixtures of this standard for teams in the Principality Premiership."

I agree, there should be more of these fixtures, at least one or two per year! Hopefully with more U20 players involved though.

Good to see Jones will be available for Keys, I'd like to see them push on and try and get to the final.

I wonder how near full strength the Georgian side was - I doubt the French clubs would have released many players.

Big thumbs up to the WRU and Permiership clubs for facilitating this fixture.

im surprised the lock if he has consistently played well hasnt been snapped up by scarlets, esp since theyve already signed the lock from cross keys

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/news/21729.php

PREMIERSHIP XV PUSH GEORGIA ALL THE WAY
27 March 2012 20:27pmBy Tom McArdleThe Georgian defence closes in on James Davies as Richard Carter (far right) looms up in support.A last gasp penalty by Saba Nikolava sealed a dramatic 32-36 victory for Georgia International XV against a resilient Premiership XV at Bridgend's Brewery Field last night.

It was an excellent performance from the lads and I hope we can do this again with other nations like Germany and Romania etc as this shows the potential that the Premiership has to offer Georgia outscored the Premiership side by five tries to two in a titanic struggle before but Nikolava's reliable boot ensured the tourists left with a hard earned victory.

Despite being beaten , Premiership head coach Simon King was delighted with his team's performance.
"The match was very well fought and was an excellent spectacle to watch," he said. "I thought it was a tough game but a good performance from the boys who have only had four sessions together and to push an international side as close as we did is a good indication of the potential in our league."

His sentiments were backed up by captain and man of the match Haydn Pugh. "They were a very physical side, especially up front and the backs were very quick.

"It was an excellent performance from the lads and I hope we can do this again with other nations like Germany and Romania etc as this shows the potential that the Premiership has to offer."

Fly half Steffan Jones opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a penalty after the all- Cross Keys front row destroyed their opposite numbers in a scrum.

Georgia soon realised this was going to be a tough battle and in the 10th minute after good continuity play captain Lekso Gugava made a quick dash and a good offload to hooker Shalva Mamukashvili who dived over for Nikolava to add the conversion.

Jones extended the lead with three further penalties before Georgia hit back in the 23rd minute.

A good lineout drive from the Georgia forwards earned them another penalty. Scrum half George Kacharava's quick thinking saw him take a quick tap which led to a try for lock David Chitidze, whose strong running impressed throughout the entire game. A great touch line conversion from Nikolava put the away side back into the lead 12-14.

A superb halfway line break from the Wales 7s winger Lee Rees and a nice chip over the last man left him certain to score, however after being taken out by Zurab Dzneladze, who was fortunate not to receive a yellow card, the only reward was another penalty for Jones.

After a feisty battle between both front rowers Traki Mirtskhulava received a yellow card for swinging a punch. The Premiership side confidently opted for the corner relishing the chance to exploit the gaps. Georgia soon after made changes sacrificing a back rower for a prop replacement for safety reasons and this soon disrupted the Georgian side

The Welsh side exploited this and used their extra man to their advantage when open side flanker James Davies made a break and an excellent offload to the blinside flanker Matthew Llewllyn, who had a very good game, to dive over under the sticks. Jones again converted.

On the 39th minute another quick tap penalty from Kacharava saw him jink his way over. With Nikolava's conversion, the match was evenly poised at the break with the Premiership leading 22-21.

The home side got the first points of the second half after a scrum offense, leaving replacement outside half Jamie Davies from Aberavon to slot a superb kick over from 50m.

Georgia again came back and in the 58th minute another try came Georgia's way after an overthrown lineout mistake lead to a good pick up from the back rower and link play from the two centres who switched for Irakli Chkhikvadze to have an easy run in under the posts. Converted by Nikolava.

The Georgian XV continued to push which lead to another try when the replacement No 8 picked up from the back of the scrum and drove over for a try. This conversion was unsuccessful from Nikolava - the only miss of the game from both sides.

The Welsh side refused to give up and after patient play in the 75th minute Sam Sole scored in the corner. Davies's brilliant sideline conversion brought the score to 32-33 but there was to be no fairy tale finish for the Premiership XV as Nikolava sealed the win with a penalty kick from 25m out.

Morgannwg wrote:Alyn, can you post the actual XV and the try scorers?

Geraint O'Driscoll (Pontypool), Richard Carter (Aberavon), Matthew Jacobs (Llandovery), Scott Williams (Newport), Lee Rees (Llandovery); Steffan Jones (Cross Keys), David Pritchard (Aberavon);

Richard Cornock (Cross Keys), Gerwyn Price (Cross Keys), Marc Jones (Cross Keys), Adam Powell (Llanelli), Haydn Pugh (capt, Carmarthen Quins), Ben Thomas (Bridgend), James Davies (Carmarthen Quins), Morgan Allen (Aberavon)

Replacements: Andrew Brown (Newport), Will Taylor (Aberavon), Ryan Harford (Pontypridd), Sam Kiley (Swansea), Chris Davies (Aberavon), Jamie Davies (Aberavon), Jason Harris (Carmarthen Quins), Justin James (Llanelli).

Premiership scorers:
Tries = M Llewellyn, S Soul;
Conversions = S Jones, J Davies;
Penalties – S Jones (5), J Davies

Georgia:
15. Saba Nikolava (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 14. Zurab Dzneladze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), 13. Irakli Chkhikvadze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 12. Giorgi Jimsheladze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 11. Lekso Gugava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, cap.), 10. Irakli Gegenava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), 9. Giorgi Kacharava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi); 1. Irakli Mirtskhulava (“Tarbes”, France), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 3. Giorgi Menabdishvili (“Grenoble”, France), 4. Mikheil Gachechiladze (“Academy”, Tbilisi), 5. Davit Chitidze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 6. Beka Bitsadze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 7. Givi Berishvili (“Locomotive”, Tbilisi), 8. Giorgi Tkesheliadze (“Heartpool College”, England).

Substitutes: 16. Beka Mekokishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 17. Levan Chilachava (“Toulon”, France), 18. Jaba Kikvidze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 19. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi); 20. Sandro Nizharadze (“Heartpool College”, England), 21. Giga Gagoshvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 22. Beka Urjukashvili (“Figeac”, France).

Head coach: Levan Maisashvili.

Georgia scorers:
Tries = S Mamukashvili, D Chitidze, G Kacharana, I Chkhikvadze, J Kikvidze;
Conversions = S Nikolava (4);
Penaltys = S Nikolava

I think Lee Rees plays 7's rugby, but doesn't play for the Scarlets (if it's the right Drovers guy I'm thinking of)

Also to point out, James Davies in the backrow who plays for Carms Quins is Jon Foxy Davies' younger brother.

And even better news that a 2nd row from a Scarlet feeder club had a great game! Maybe finally we'll have a v good lock coming through our system....pretty please

rugbydreamer wrote:I think Lee Rees plays 7's rugby, but doesn't play for the Scarlets (if it's the right Drovers guy I'm thinking of)

Also to point out, James Davies in the backrow who plays for Carms Quins is Jon Foxy Davies' younger brother.

And even better news that a 2nd row from a Scarlet feeder club had a great game! Maybe finally we'll have a v good lock coming through our system....pretty please

I read this off the Ospreys forum:

Re: Tuesday March 27th, Premiership15 Vs Georgia @ Brewery field
by all whites » Wed Mar 28, 2012 12:31 pm

Captain Pugh was superb as was the Llandovery winger - Tandy (who was there) should seriously look at either of these before the Scarlets and Dragons (who have approached them) do.

Assuming any of this is true then the Scarlets and / or Dragons would of signed some very talented young players.

I don't think Lee Rees is that young, is he? I might be thinking of a completely different player mind.

Pugh is another matter though. I know Scarlets have already signed a good young 2nd row from Cross Keys, fingers crossed we pick up Pugh as well.

rugbydreamer wrote:I don't think Lee Rees is that young, is he? I might be thinking of a completely different player mind.

Pugh is another matter though. I know Scarlets have already signed a good young 2nd row from Cross Keys, fingers crossed we pick up Pugh as well.

http://www.llandoveryrfc.co.uk/Personnel.aspx?pr=199718

Apparently he's only 21, so young enough!

Check your inbox when you have 2 minutes also.

hmm I was thinking of someone else then. don't know who though!

lee williams?

nope, just googled him, I think it's Ifan Evans I was thinking of!

For the person who asked how near 'full strength' Georgia were, here is the team from last night, followed by the team that faced England in the world cup. Not sure of any retirements, injuries, etc..

15. Saba Nikolava (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 14. Zurab Dzneladze (“Aia”, Kutaisi), 13. Irakli Chkhikvadze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 12. Giorgi Jimsheladze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 11. Lekso Gugava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi, cap.), 10. Irakli Gegenava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi), 9. Giorgi Kacharava (“Lelo”, Tbilisi); 1. Irakli Mirtskhulava (“Tarbes”, France), 2. Shalva Mamukashvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 3. Giorgi Menabdishvili (“Grenoble”, France), 4. Mikheil Gachechiladze (“Academy”, Tbilisi), 5. Davit Chitidze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 6. Beka Bitsadze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 7. Givi Berishvili (“Locomotive”, Tbilisi), 8. Giorgi Tkesheliadze (“Heartpool College”, England).

Substitutes: 16. Beka Mekokishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 17. Levan Chilachava (“Toulon”, France), 18. Jaba Kikvidze (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 19. Giorgi Tkhilaishvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi); 20. Sandro Nizharadze (“Heartpool College”, England), 21. Giga Gagoshvili (“Armia”, Tbilisi), 22. Beka Urjukashvili (“Figeac”, France).


Gigauri, Machkhaneli, Kacharava, Zibzibadze, Todua, Kvirikashvili, Abuseridze,
Khinchagashvili, Bregvadze, Kubriashvili, Zedginidze, Maisuradze, Sutiashvili, Gorgodze, Basilaia.
Replacements: Giorgadze, Zirakashvili, Datunashvili, Chkhaidze, Samkharadze, Berishvili, Khmaladze.

Premiership team doesn't look great tbh. Perhaps 5 tries conceded should have been expected in their first game. I hope they get a few more games together. If managed effectively it will be a good feeder for the Regions and U20 teams.

Morgannwg wrote:For the person who asked how near 'full strength' Georgia were, here is the team from last night, followed by the team that faced England in the world cup. Not sure of any retirements, injuries, etc.

Most of Georga's first choice pack plays in the upper 2 divisions in France. none of them were at the Premiership game.

Principality Premiership XV:

G. O'Driscoll;
R. Carter (rep E. Frewen 56 min),
M. Jacobs,
S, Williams,
L. Rees;
S. Jones (rep J. Davies H/T),
J. James;

R. Cornock (rep W. Taylor 58 min),
G. Price (rep A. Brown 45 min),
M. Jones (rep R. Harford 45-68 min),
H. Pugh (capt),
A. Powell,
M. Llewellyn,
M. Allen (rep C. Davies H/T),
J. Davies (rep S. Kiley 50-63 min, rep S. Soul 63 min)

Scorers: T - M. Llewellyn, S, Soul; C - S. Jones, J. Davies; PG - S. Jones (5), J. Davies


There we go it seems the scrum half was J.James, not sure which club he is from though!
Though Llanelli do have a Scrum Half called Justin James.