Russian Bears
RDH
The Russian Bears have made the world cup finals! Their first game and best hope of a decent result is against the USA on 15th of September. The Churchill Cup pits some of the top countries’ B teams against the emerging nations’ best sides. Defending champions, England’s Saxons, beat Canada in the final. Russia met USA in a playoff, also at Worcester’s ground in June. After good performances against strong Canada and Italy B teams, hopes were high. In the prequel, the lead changed hands half a dozen times. 8-8 at half time, before four American tries meant a 32-25 win for the Eagles, despite scores by Ostroushko, Voytov and Artemyev, and kicks taken by Kushnarev. Disappointing, but too close to offer a prediction for the big one in New Zealand, except that neither will qualify from their group. The hosts are hot favourites, and play also-fancied S Africa and Australia soon. Watch this space.
| Russia |
19-24
(6-18) |
Italy |
| Tries: |
|
Tries: |
| Yagudin |
|
Pratichetti, Toniolatti |
| Penalties: |
|
Penalties: |
| Kushnarev 4 |
|
Tebaldi 3, Bocchino |
| Conversions: |
|
Conversions: |
| Kushnarev |
|
Tebaldi |
| |
|
|
| Canada |
34-18
(15-18) |
Russia |
| Tries: |
|
Tries: |
Mensah-Coker, Trainor,
Monro, O’Toole, Evans |
|
Klyuchnikov,
Artemyev |
| Penalties: |
|
Penalties: |
| Pritchard |
|
Kushnarev 2 |
| Conversions: |
|
Conversions: |
| Pritchard 3 |
|
Kushnarev |
Canada 26 -12 Italy; USA 8 – 87 Saxons;
Tonga 14 – 41 Saxons; USA 13-44 Tonga
| USA |
32-25
(8-8) |
Russia |
| Tries: |
|
Tries: |
Emerick, Suniula,
Clever, Enosa |
|
Ostroushko, Voytov,
Artemyev |
| Penalties: |
|
Penalties: |
| Malifa 2 |
|
Kushnarev 2 |
| Conversions: |
|
Conversions: |
| Malifa 3 |
|
Kushnarev 2 |
|
