Emerging Ireland 20 Georgia 15: Emerging Ireland came through a tough examination of their IRB Tbilisi Cup credentials as two late Ian Keatley penalties guided them past tournament hosts Georgia on a 20-15 scoreline.
Allen Clarke’s young Irish side lost their grip on an early 6-0 lead and leaked tries to Giorgi Chkhaidze and Tamaz Mchedlidze as Georgia put in a determined display in front of their vocal home support.
The Lelos, coached by New Zealander Milton Haig, led 15-14 entering the closing stages at Avchala Stadium, but a late streak of indiscipline, with Giorgi Nemsadze ending the game in the sin-bin, allowed Ian Keatley kick Emerging Ireland to a first round victory.
The game failed to catch fire until Georgia produced a rousing finish to the first half with a pushover try from number eight Chkhaidze handing them a 10-6 lead.
The Tarbes clubman was one of only three survivors from the Georgian team that gave Ireland an almighty fright at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Beka Tsiklauri converted, adding to an earlier penalty, as the rugged hosts rubbed out Emerging Ireland’s six-point advantage from two Keatley penalties.
The Irish outfit turned around with a wind advantage and a concerted spell of pressure in the Georgian 22 set up David Kearney for an unconverted try after being fed by scrumhalf Michael Heaney.
A third Keatley penalty preceded a strong period of play from Georgia with some brittle Irish defending allowing Lasha Malaguradze to shoot through initially and an angled run from winger Mchedlidze secured their second try of the night.
However, full-back Tsiklauri missed the conversion - he left eight points behind him in all - and Emerging Ireland became more cohesive as the match wore on, the decisive period seeing Keatley take his kicking record to five successes from seven attempts.
Clarke said: “Tonight’s game reflected what we prepared for. The Georgians are a very committed, physical and passionate side and they showed they can play a little wider than just up the middle of the field.
“It was a massive challenge for our guys, but all credit to them. They showed great mental character and resilience to get the win.”
Milton Haig, the Georgian boss, admitted: “I was happy with the boys’ performance. We are playing better rugby and matches like this are good for our development and tonight was another step towards the rugby we want to play.”
The South Africa President’s XV top the table following their six-try 37-9 victory over Uruguay, and their clash with Emerging Ireland at the same venue next Tuesday (5pm local time/2pm Irish time) could prove to be the title decider.
Scoring sequence: 11 minutes - Emerging Ireland penalty: Ian Keatley - 0-3; 14 mins - Georgia penalty: missed by Beka Tsiklauri - 0-3; 25 mins - Emerging Ireland penalty: Ian Keatley - 0-6; 28 mins - Georgia penalty: Beka Tsiklauri - 3-6; 40+2 mins - Georgia try: Giorgi Chkhaidze - 8-6; conversion: Beka Tsiklauri - 10-6; Half-time - Georgia 10 Emerging Ireland 6; 43 mins - Emerging Ireland try: David Kearney - 10-11; conversion: missed by Ian Keatley - 10-11; 47 mins - Georgia penalty: missed by Beka Tsiklauri - 10-11; 55 mins - Emerging Ireland penalty: Ian Keatley - 10-14; 58 mins - Georgia try: Tamaz Mchedlidze - 15-14; conversion: missed by Beka Tsiklauri - 15-14; 69 mins - Emerging Ireland penalty: missed by Ian Keatley - 15-14; 77 mins - Emerging Ireland penalty: Ian Keatley - 15-17; 79 mins - Georgia yellow card: Giorgi Nemsadze; 79 mins - Emerging Ireland penalty: Ian Keatley - 15-20; Full-time - Georgia 15 Emerging Ireland 20
Referee: Nick Briant (New Zealand)
