Barbarians beat Georgia in Tbilisi

Four tries to three as Pat Howard pulls on his boots

Before some 10,000 spectators the Barbarians beat Georgia 28-19 in Tbilisi on Sunday afternoon. There was more than just a rugby match.

The Barbarians led 14-7 at half-time and the Lelos pulled back to 14-all early in the second half, but the Barbarians then added two more tries before the Lelos got their third just before the end.

The Barbarians had 25 players with them and all of them got a game. In fact, even coach Pat Howard joined in as one of the 25!

Paliko Jimsheladze, normally a fly-half but playing fullback in this match, became the first Georgian to win 50 caps for his country. In recognition of this feat he was presented with a commemorative cap. The presentation was made by Nodar Qipiani, the first captain of a Georgian national team.

After the match the Barbarians presented £10,000 for the development of rugby in Georgia.

The scorers:

For Barbarians:
Tries: Monye, Hanley 2, Hallett
Cons: Malone 3, Hallett

For Georgia:
Tries: Machkhaneli 2, Magrakvelidze
Cons: Barkalaia 2

Teams:

Georgia: 15 Paliko Jimsheladze (captain), 14 Otar Eloshvili, 13 Revaz Guigauri, 12 Irakli Guiorgadze, 11 Irakli Machkhaneli; 10 Otar Barkalaia, 9 Bidzina Samkharadze, 8 Besso Udessiani, 7 Rati Urushadze, 6 Ilia Maissuradze, 5 Levan Datunashvili, 4 Mamuka Gorgodze, 3 Avtandil Kopaliani, 2 Akvsenti Guiorgadze, 1 Mamuka Magrakvelidze.
Replacements: 16 Michael Sujashvili, 17 David Khinchaguishvili, 18 Shalva Papashvili, 19 Zviad Maissuradze, 20 George Katcharava, 21 Lexo Gugava, 22 George Elizbarashvili.

Coaches: Malkhaz Tcheishvili, Paata Narimanashvili

Barbarians: 15 Neil Hallett, 14 Ugo Monye, 13 Tony Marsh, 12 Kevin Maggs, 11 Lee Robinson; 10 Chris Malone, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 8 Bob Skinstad (captain), 7 Will Skinner, 6 Brad Macleod-Henderson, 5 Simon Miall, 4 James Hamilton, 3 Darren Crompton, 2 Olivier Azam, 1 Justin Fitzpatrick.
Replacements: 16 Pieter Dixon, 17 Kevin Tkachuk, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Daniel Browne, 20 Ian Vass,  21 Leon Lloyd, 22 Steve Hanley, 23 Jason Forster, 24 John Davies.

Coach: (who played) Pat Howard

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)
Touch judges: Ucha Narimanidze, George Javakhishvili (both Georgia)