Defending champions Georgia scored first against the Port Elizabeth based South African Kings in their opening match of the tournament, but were undone by the enterprising SA Kings side, who showed good fitness to finish a tight game with a flourish and win 31-17.
Even in rainy conditions, both sides showed a commendable appetite for running rugby and it was the Georgians who took advantage of some South African lapses to notch an early try by left wing, Irakli Chikhivadze.
But the Kings, with former Bath forward Luke Watson leading from the front, fought back with a vengeance and Siyanda Grey sprinted through for the first of his hat-trick of tries to give the Kings a well-deserved win in their opening match of the six nation’s tournament.
As the match wore on the greasy ball started to play havoc until some 10 minutes before time when, miraculously, a move initiated on the left by the lively South African loose forwards, was switched to the right where smart handling saw Grey gallop over for another try, a feat he repeated a few moments later to clinch the first hat trick of the tournament and extend the South African lead to 14 points.
“I am delighted with the win and I have to commend the forwards, who were impressive with Luke Watson having an outstanding game,” said coach Alan Solomons. “We have not played for six week and then we had a fairly exhausting trip from South Africa, so the boys recovered well for a very good performance, in which tactical awareness and territory played a significant part.”
Captain and fullback Mzwandile Stick added that this was a very good start for the Kings, confronted with a physical and competent Georgian side.
Georgia were beaten but unbowed. “Disappointed but not disheartened,” was the verdict of coach Richie Dixon, whose captain Ilia Zedginidze added: “We made a few elementary errors, mostly under the high ball, but we were very much in the game with 10 minutes to go. I am pleased with the attitude, endeavour and spirit of the boys.”
Scorers:
- South African Kings (31) – Tries: Siyanda Grey (3) Conversions: Louis Strydom (2). Penalties: Strydom (4)
- Georgia (17) – Tries: Irakli Chkhikvadze, Besiki Khamashuridze. Conversions: Malkhaz Urjukashvili (2). Penalties: Urjukashvili
See more on the IRB Nations Cup Mini Site.
The four points for the win put the Port Elizabeth based South African Kings on level pegging with Portugal and Romania.
The South African Kings will meet Romania on 15 June 2011.
Alan Straton
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