England get in right mood for SA crunch

By BEN JAYCOCK

England U18…..27pts

Georgia U18 ….. 20pts

ENGLAND overcame a shaky first half to score 17 unanswered second half points to beat an impressive Georgia outfit on Friday.

Jonathan Pendlebury's side now turn their attention to their final match on tour against hosts South Africa on Monday.

Following a disappointing defeat to Ireland on Monday, Pendlebury's U18s trailed 20-5 approaching half-time but a try on the buzzer by Oscar Thomas and a much improved second half display ensured victory thanks to a try douible from Saracens outside centre Fraser Rawlins.

Georgia were included in the tournament on short notice after France withdrew following the tragic news that utility back Medhi Narjissi had gone missing after being caught in a rip tide whilst swimming off the beach near Cape Town.

Ace: Fraser Rawlins

Georgia suffered a 20-3 loss on day one of the series against hosts South Africa but their victory over France in this year's Six Nations Festival shows they should not be underestimated and England head coach Pendlebury will be relieved his side avoided a potential banana skin.

England took the lead after Saracens fly-half Finn Keylock produced a delightful dink in behind the defence which led to quick hands out wide for club team-mate, winger Noah Caluori, to touch down with a wicked step and reach for the line.

Georgia hit back with a neat strike off the tee by Gigi Sirbiladze and went ahead moments later as a clever switch play from a scrum saw full-back Nikolozi Khalvashi beat four defenders and slide over for the lead.

Mercurial captain Sirbiladze delivered an excellent crossfield kick to assist Givi Soselia to get their second and Georgia had a third try just after the half hour mark as a speedy lineout move caught England napping with winger Saba Sharvashidze touching down.

England were staring down the barrel of backto-back defeats but Bath hooker Thomas got them back into the game from a driving maul just before half-time.

Pendlebury's side started the second half much better with an increased speed of ball and clever hands by the backline allowing Rawlins in to score.

Bath fly-half James Linegar made an excellent cameo off the bench and his clutch conversion reduced the deficit to three points.

Rawlins then stepped his way through the defence to score and put England in front.

The deadeye Linegar slotted a late penalty which showed how seriously England were taking the fixture to increase their lead to seven points.

Georgia won a late penalty and kicked to the corner. A rolling maul was set with virtually the whole of the Georgian team adding their weight, but the England forwards managed to secure a turnover and deny a grandstand finish.

The wild celebrations from England's players showed how much the win meant and they will now be full of confidence ahead of their crunch clash against South Africa.