“Kochebi” played so well in the first half that most people thought that they would gain the first victory at Georgian 23rd National Rugby Championship. But only “Army” gained points in the second half when it started raining. The team of Levan Mgeladze is still on the bottom of the schedule.
The match started with advantage of “Army”. Bakhva Kobakhidze scored the first point of the match. But then, “Kochebi” managed to equalize score. First 15 minutes turned out uninteresting. None of the teams played well in attack.
At the 14th minute, Makharashvili (“Kochebi”) advanced his team – 6:3. Maisuradze broke through the defense line of “Army” and “Army” was awarded with penalty but Makharashvili could not use this chance.
“Army” got angry and Bakhva Kobakhidze broke through the defense line this time. “Kochebi” was awarded with penalty but its opponent felt advantage. While scrum, Begadze played with hand and he was sin-binned. “Army” chose scrum again. Its opponent could do nothing against “Army” and was awarded with technical try. Kobakhidze used conversion.
Soon, “Kochebi” scored try. “Army” scored conversion and 13:6. The match was messed up. Both teams made mistakes but “Army” had territorial advantage. After the break, Nutsubidze (“Army”) scored try. Then, Kobakhidze scored conversion and two penalties. The team won 26:6 and is in the second place now.
“Aia” Kutaisi beat “Lelo” Tbilisi 31:25. The hosts advantage 10:0 in Poti and won the first half 18:15. “Aia” did not lose its advantage and won the match 31:25.
“Lokomotive” Tbilisi, champion of Georgia, visited Rustavi and beat “Kharebi” 22:5. “Academy” played the second draw in a row. This time the team played draw against “Armazi” – 26:26. The championship will be resumed on June 11. Before that, all fans of Georgian rugby will support Georgian U-20 team which will participate in World Cup.
Georgian XXIII National Rugby Championship
May 10. Tuesday. V round
Tbilisi. “Shevardeni”. 1000
Kochebi (Tbilisi) – Army (Tbilisi) 6:26
Kochebi: 15. Makharashvili, 14. Gegenava, 13. Maisuradze, 12. Inashvili, 11. Nijaradze, 10. Kvaratskhelia, 9. Begadze; 1. Gogishvili, 2. Mamukashvili, 3. Khositashvili, 4. Belashvili, 5. Archuashvili, 6. Grdzelishvili, 7. Tskhvediani, 8. Iliaev.
Army: 15. B. Kobakhidze, 14. Kavtarashvili, 13. Mchedlidze, 12. Nadareishvili, 11. Nutsubidze, 10. Elizbarashvili, 9. Samkharadze; 1. Koridze, 2. Natriashvili, 3. Navrozashvili, 4. Bitsadze, 5. Kikvidze, 6. Kalmakhelidze, 7. Daraselia, 8. Tskhadadze.
Rustavi. “Teknimuki”.
Kharebi (Rustavi) – Lokomotive (Tbilisi) 5:22
Poti. Maltakva.
Aia (Kutaisi) – Lelo (Tbilisi) 31:25
Tbilisi. “Avchala” (Artificial).
Academy (Tbilisi) – Armazi (Tbilisi) 26:26
| 1 | Aia | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 144-62 | 10 |
| 2 | Army | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 110-92 | 7 |
| 3 | Lelo | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 145-105 | 6 |
| 4 | Lokomotive | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 118-86 | 6 |
| 5 | Armazi | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 96-120 | 5 |
| 6 | Academy | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 89-106 | 4 |
| 7 | Kharebi | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 49-108 | 2 |
| 8 | Kochebi | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 75-147 | 0 |
The next round
June 11: Army - Armazi, Kochebi - Aia, Lelo - Kharebi, Lokomotive - Academy.
Zura Ksovreli
