England retain top position in the pool B of 2011 Rugby World Cup after beating Georgia
England’s bonus point victory over Georgia has helped them retain their top spot in Pool B of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) tournament. Following their hard fought win over Argentina in their RWC opener, the massive win will further boost the England team’s
morale.
England outplayed Georgia by six tries to one in their Sunday, September 18 encounter played at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin.
England dominated the proceedings from the start of the match. They first scored through their inside centre Shontayne Hape’s 3rd minute try. England’s fly half, Toby Flood, followed with his conversion to give a seven point lead to England.
Georgia tried their best to maintain some control but England were clinical in winning ball possession and turning the ball over. This hampered Georgia from developing any real threatening prospects. Hape scored his second try of the game in the 20th
minute of play, which was followed by Flood’s conversion to take the scorecard reading 14 – 0.
Georgia managed to reach England’s 22 and win their first penalty of the game in the 27th minute. Georgian fly half, Merab Kvirikashvili, successfully capitalised on the chance to score the first points for Georgia.
Later, England built on their ball possession and dominated territory, which helped them to earn penalties. Flood once again successfully capitalised on the awarded penalty during the 34th minute of the game to further extend their lead to17 –
3.
Minutes before the end of the first-half, Georgia sent their number eight, Dimitri Basilaia, to score their first and the only try of the game. Kvirikashvili came through for his squad and made a successful conversion. The break was called with the score
at 17 – 10.
The result of the first-half promised some quality action during the second part of the match. However, England had other plans in mind as they kept the Georgia scoreless throughout the remaining playing time.
England started the second-half leading by seven points. Their utility backs player Delon Armitage scored a try to boost the English by 22 – 10 in the 46th minute of the game.
After a brief passage of quiet play by England, they came scoring again as they sent their sensational young centre, Manu Tuilagi, to score their Bonus Point try in the 62nd minute of the game. Flood followed with his conversion as Georgia found
it almost impossible to score.
In the last quarter of the game, England’s right-winger Chris Ashton crossed the try-line twice during the 65th and 81st minute of the game. England scored on one of two conversions, which took the final scorecard reading 41 – 10.
England next will play against Romania at the same venue on Saturday, September 24.
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