Georgia 22-28 Japan: Lomano Lemeki scores two tries in comeback win
Saturday 12 November 2016 14:01, UK
Rugby World Cup 2019 hosts Japan kicked off their European tour with a 28-22 win over Georgia in Tbilisi.
The Japanese, easily beaten at home by Argentina last week, started in lively fashion with Kotaro Matsushima crossing for a try in the eighth minute before fly-half Yu Tamura added a penalty.
But the home team, on an eight-game winning streak, fought back through Vito Kolelishvili and scrum-half Vasil Lobzhanidze, who landed a try apiece, while full-back Merab Kvirikashvili added a conversion to give Georgia a 12-8 lead at half-time.
Winger Lomano Lemeki restored Japan's lead with a try four minutes after the interval but Georgia replied with a try by flanker Beka Bitsadze, Kvirikashvili hitting the extras and a penalty for a 22-13 advantage.
Japan picked up steam as Lemeki chalked up his second try, Tamura bagging the extras before winger Kenki Fukuoka also crossed the whitewash to hand the visitors a narrow lead.
Tamura rounded off the scoring with a 75th-minute penalty.
Georgia, who are currently 11th in the world rankings, and will take on Samoa in Tbilisi next weekend before playing Scotland at Kilmarnock's Rugby Park on November 26.
