Canada hold on to beat Georgia

Canada continued their newly-found winning ways with a dramatic one-point victory over Georgia at Molesey Road in Esher, England on Wednesday. The result puts an end to a seven-test losing streak, and marks only their second full international win since the beginning of 2014. It also avenges a four-point defeat suffered at the hands of the Lelos in November of 2013 in Tbilisi, which will bring much-needed confidence to the Canadian side.

Tighthead prop Andrew Tiedemann put in a full 80 minute shift and was the first to get on the scoreboard just four minutes into the game. Ciaran Hearn and Matt Evans combined to create a huge break down the right side, with Lasha Lomidze’s desperate cover tackle halting Jamie Mackenzie just short of the line. Canada retained possession, stretched the defense, and after multiple phases Tiedemann dove over for the try, converted by Nathan Hirayama.

Hirayama and Lasha Malaguradze exchanged penalties before Georgia got a try of their own on 28 minutes. A nice back row move from a solid scrum just to the right of the sticks put Giorgi Tkhilaishvili over, with Malaguradze’s conversion drawing the scores level.

Another Hirayama goal nudged Canada back out in front, but the Lelos went on the assault and looked to be over in the corner but for a knock-on by Giorgi Aptsiauri with the line at his mercy. Georgia regained possession and continued their attack, only to see fullback Beka Tsiklauri flattened by a Jebb Sinclair tackle, dislodging the ball and bringing the half to a close.

A fourth successful kick by Hirayama stretched the lead to six, putting them out of penalty range, and a tense final half hour ensued. Eventually the Lelos worked themselves into scoring position, and with only six minutes left on the clock, Tsiklauri was on the receiving end of a huge cutout pass from Lasha Khmaladze to score the try, but made no effort to run it closer to the sticks and it cost him with his own conversion attempt sailing wide left.

Time ran out before Georgia could find another score, and Canada’s arms were raised as Gordon McRorie kicked the ball dead and JP Doyle’s final whistle sounded. Georgia now head to the west country where they face Japan at Kingsholm on Saturday, while Canada stroll just up the road to the Stoop to close out their World Cup warm-ups against Fiji on Sunday.

GEORGIA 15
Tries – G. Tkhilaishvili (28), B. Tsiklauri (74)
Cons – L. Malaguradze (29)
Pens – L. Malaguradze (13)

CANADA 16
Tries – A. Tiedemann (4)
Cons – N. Hirayama (5)
Pens – N. Hirayama 3 (19, 35, 46)

GEORGIA
1 Karlen Asieshvili 2 Shalva Mamukashvili 3 Levan Chilachava 4 Giorgi Nemsadze 5 Levan Datunashvili 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili 7 Mamuka Gorgodze (capt.) 8 Lasha Lomidze 9 Giorgi Begadze 10 Lasha Malaguradze 11 Giorgi Aptsiauri 12 Tamaz Mchedlidze 13 Merab Sharikadze 14 Giorgi Pruidze 15 Beka Tsiklauri

16 Jaba Bregvadze 17 Mikheil Nariashvili 18 Davit Zirakashvili 19 Kote Mikautadze 20 Giorgi Chkhaidze 21 Vazha Khutsishvili 22 Lasha Khmaladze 23 Davit Kacharava

CANADA
1 Djustice Sears-Duru 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Andrew Tiedemann 4 Brett Beukeboom 5 Jamie Cudmore (capt.) 6 Jebb Sinclair 7 John Moonlight 8 Aaron Carpenter 9 Jamie Mackenzie 10 Nathan Hirayama 11 Phil Mackenzie 12 Nick Blevins 13 Ciaran Hearn 14 Jeff Hassler 15 Matt Evans

16 Benoît Pifféro 17 Hubert Buydens 18 Jason Marshall 19 Evan Olmstead 20 Kyle Gilmour 21 Gordon McRorie 22 Conor Trainor 23 Harry Jones