TRIED BUT COULD NOT DELIVER

Sunday, 3 March, 2002

** Fact-File

The kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes due to traffic 
congestion (Twickenham staff)

Georgia RU did NOT allow State TV1 to screen the match 
LIVE. As a result, only 35 min highlights program was shown 
two hours after the full-time

GEO right-wing Makho Urjukashvili, the Russian nemesis from 
1998 affair, when the goaled 4 out of five on a soggy 
evening, withdrew through broken nose after the last 
training session

RUS kept the line-up in secret until 40 mins before the
kick-off. Indeed, in all they have fielded three afrikaners 
and after the match, GEO rugby alikadoos belatedly were 
trying to single-out them for subsequent launching of appeal

The atmosphere was magnificent throughout. No abuse of the 
guests and a slight jeering at ex-soviet anthem, revived by 
*Putin's Russia*

Not a single flare-up, not a single sin-bin! Start-stop 
affair from start till the very end and blame for this 
inexperienced, pedantic Italian REF and not the teams

Penalty count favored GEO by almost 2/1 ratio 

GEO were too jittery from the outset due to unprecedented 
expectations of the general public. They have relaxed only 
by the halfway in the second half, and nearly stole the win

RUS were calm and solid at every department but a little 
bit unfashionable when tactics were concerned. May be, they 
will rue their kickers missing too much

RUS have tried three kickers in all: the starter, Budnikov 
missed twice from 25m out; then Simonov goaled 3 out of 4, 
but after the only failure handed duties to Rachkov who 
brought RUS in front for the last time but missed when it 
mattered the most

GEO have sticked with Jimsheladze who had 100% efficiency 
from the close range but miserably failed three times from 
40+ metres. By the way, GEO had an ace kicker in Modebadze 
and clearly neglected talents of Khamashuridze who is in 
the mold of Frenchman D.Tralle

RUS were consistent at line-out. They tried to play wide 
through their backs but were shifting too much. GEO could 
NOT outmuscle the opposition at scrum till the closing 
quarter but RUS aptly subbed the WHOLE front-row (yet 
another point GEO would like to argue!)

After settling their nerves GEO choose to play high-risk, 
ball-in-hand game from their half. They were using centre 
Katsadze as a battering ram. Thanks to him they managed to 
stretch RUS defence and Khamashuridze and Labadze ran with 
the ball into the gaps for 30-40m numerous times but, on 
the other hand, RUS also benefited from as many turnovers

The first half was uninspiring and even affair. RUS missed 
twice after 6 and 10 min. Then from a broken play Simonov 
raced to the try-line but was tackled head-on. As for GEO, 
they could NOT set any patterns at line-out and lost a pair 
of their throws within opposition 22

By half-time the score stood at 6-all. RUS had GEO on 
backfoot for the opening 7 minutes of the second half.  
Their young fullback Dymchenko twice came into the line. 
Though, GEO managed to halt RUS onslaught and conceded just 
one kickable P, which Simonov converted

Then GEO introduced old warhorses Mtchedlishvili and 
Didebulidze in the pack, and wise and smart Modebadze at 
halfback. From then on GEO rattled the guests mercilessly 
but could only square the score due to appalling 
decision-making from their renowned skipper, prop Tsabadze

As the score stood at 9-all, GEO twice (sic) spurned 
kickable penalties from 30m out after 60 and 64 mins, and 
instead, went for the kill (?!) All they have managed was 
that Modebadze sneaked from the maul and almost touched 
goal-post with the ball

On another occasion, on truly rare mix-up at this level, 
GEO took a quick-tap (?) after indicating to the ref that 
they would kick when awarded 5m PEN almost in front of the 
RUS goal

Then RUS struck once again and Rachkov succeded with his 
first pot-shot from 42m out. GEO went wild. At 75 min mark 
Rackkov missed from 40m, Khamashuridze have torn the RUS 
line twice more times and Jimsheladze levelled from in 
front 12-12

Then an injury time agony followed. GEO twice managed to 
advance from their half thanks to extra-zelous Italian ref 
but clearly tired and dejected Jimsheladze's kicks from 40 
and 50 metres deep into the extra-time fell well short. RUS 
cleared and it was fulltime

Both teams applauded each other and took an amicable shot. 
That was perfect indeed. RUS went straight to changing 
rooms while Lelos traditionally took a lap of honour, this 
time, for TRYING, but NOT DELIVERING