Alexey Tolstykh sets the Russia backs moving against the Cook Islands
Photo: Philip Marshall
16 APRIL 2007
By Dean McFarlane
Russia won their first match in Division B at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007 when they scored three tries to help them defeat the Cook Islands 22-14.
The game started with neither team in the ascendancy and it took 27 minutes before the first points were scored.
The Cook Islands were gifted a try as winger Tahiri Elikana intercepted a pass on the Russian 10 metre line and swooped in behind the posts for a touch down that was converted by Terry Toki.
Russia did not roll over and managed to run in two tries in reply. The first came from Alexey Arnautov who pounced on an overlap to round the Cook Islands defence.
The second came from scrum half Gleb Babkin who was able to crash over thanks to the forwards’ dominance of the rucks.
He was left with the simplest of touchdowns when second row partners Ivan Sysoev and Ilya Osminko combined to manufacture a gap in the Cook Islands defence. Iustin Petrushka was successful with the conversion to give Russia a 12-7 half time lead.
The Cook Island began the second half on top and they capitalised on their dominance as Terua Tuisovivi ran in for a try after some lax clearance kicking by Russia left gaps in their defence which the Cook Islands exploited.
Russia came back strongly, but the Cook Islands held onto their lead until full back Vasily Sizykh took full advantage of a tiring defence to sprint in under the posts.
Petrushka made sure of the victory with the conversion and a penalty just as the full time whistle was blown to give Russia their first win.
QUOTES
Cook Islands number 8 Papa Mataroa: “The last few minutes of the game cost us dear. I think that the boys were all tired but we need to keep going for the whole of the game. We should improve and hope to beat Chinese Taipei in our next game.”
Cook Islands head coach Ioaba Ezekiela: “We played with a lot of heart today and we have 13 players who can come back to this tournament next year and I am sure they will try hard to qualify again. It has been a great experience.”
Russia team manager Alexsander Kryksa: “To be honest I was not particularly happy with the game, but we got the win and that is the most important thing. We need to improve on a few things for our next game, we need to speed up our play and keep the ball better. This kind of championship helps us a great deal to prepare the players for their next challenges.”
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