The Bears defied the heavy Moscow rain to sweep away the Georgians in the first ever international Eastern European derby in front of an enthusiastic crowd which included RFL Development Director Gary Tasker.

The match was effectively won in the opening 25 minutes as the Georgians began nervously, seemingly overawed by the occasion, in only their third match and undoubtedly their toughest at this level.

Led by dynamic hooker Roman Ovchinnikov, who controlled the ruck area and got the bigger, more experienced Russian pack moving forward, the Bears took control from the kick off.

Lively scrum half Andrey Kuzovkov was given too much space and he crossed for the opening score, Ovchinnikov then exploiting a gap to burrow over from close in; Kuzovkov’s conversion making it 10-0 before the visitors had had any meaningful possession.

Converted tries to strong running centre Sergey Dobrynin and fleet-footed stand off Victor Nechaev extended the lead; Irakliy Chshikvadze making it 26-0 in as many minutes.

The Georgian defence then began to find the measure of their opponents although they failed to counter the pace of winger Denis Korolev who crossed in the corner after a fine run.

The Georgian revival stemmed from a try just before the break scored by winger David Jhamutashvili, whose pace was a handful throughout.

Although Artem Grigorian extended the home lead to 36-4 just after the break, the Georgians found their rhythm and enjoyed their best spell, running in two tries as they dominated for a quarter of an hour.

George Maisuradze charged clear and the impressive Jhamutashvili grabbed his second to make it 36-14 but the Bears finished strongly banishing the memory of their heavy defeat in Arles last week.

Ovchinnikov again showed his guile and foot work in the middle to claim his brace before skipper Evgeny Bozhoukov completed the scoring with his side’s ninth touchdown.

Georgia’s coaching consultant Vinny Webb commented, “This has been a great learning experience for the whole side and a lot more positives than negatives have come out of it. There is a lot to work

on for the game against France next week but more importantly for the future of the sport in the country and the will is there.”

RUSSIA
1 Oleg Logunov
2 Denis Korolev
3 Sergey Dobrynin
27 Oleg Smirnov
5 Valentin Baskakov
16 Victor Nechaev
7 Andrey Kuzovkov
8 Ian Gvozdev
9 Roman Ovchinnikov
10 Andrey Dumalkin
11 Alexander Lysenkov
12 Irakliy Chshikvadze
13 Evgeny Bozhoukov (C)
Subs (all used)
4 Artem Grigorian
14 Alexander Chulkov
18 Nikolay Zagoskin
25 Andrey Kuzovkov
Tries: Kuzovkov, Ovchinnikov 2, Dobrynin, Nechaev, Chshikvadze, Korolev, Grigorian, Bozhoukov
Goals: Kuzovkov, Logunov 5

GEORGIA
1 Giorgi Assatiani
2 Zviad Koberidze
3 Revaz Guigauri
4 Aleksander Guilauri
5 David Jhamutashvili
6 Lekso Gugava
7 Bidzina Samkharadze
8 Giorgi Mtchedlishvili
9 Nodar Andghuladze
10 David Gasviani
11 Giorgi Trapaidze
12 Nikoloz Mkheidze
13 Vakhtang Akhvlediani (C)
Subs (all used)
14 Fridon Udessiani
15 Vakhtang Tskhadadze
16 Beka Qurashvili
17 George Maisuradze
Tries: Jhamutashvili 2, Maisuradze
Goal: Udessiani

GAME STAR – Two try Russian hooker Roman Ovchinnikov ran the show with his searing darts and clever distribution

GAME BREAKER – The Russians were given too much latitude to display their skills from the kick off, the opening quarter seeing them race away to a decisive lead.

Men of the match:
RUSSIA - Roman Ovchinnikov
GEORGIA – David Jhamutashvili

Half time: 32-4
Referee: Thierry Alibert (France)
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 10-0, 16-0, 22-0, 26-0, 32-0, 32-4, 36-4, 36-10, 36-14, 42-14, 48-14