The PARI Higher League delivered another compelling rugby fixture, marked not just by the on-field battle but by dramatic intervention from the elements.
Last season, Krasnodar`s Bogatyri handed Fili a crushing 84-15 defeat in Moscow. It was clear the Moscow club harboured a strong desire for redemption in this latest encounter.
Ahead of the match, Fili CEO Ivan Lysko expressed hope for cooler weather by kickoff. It appears the rugby gods (or perhaps just the weather gods) listened a little too enthusiastically. The game began under a torrential downpour, accompanied by thunder and hail. Play lasted only six minutes before the referee, prioritizing player safety, halted proceedings and sent both teams to the changing rooms for an unplanned thirty-minute intermission. During that brief initial period, Fili`s Iustin Petrushka missed a penalty attempt, a minor note before the heavens opened up.
Upon returning to a sodden pitch, both teams seemed invigorated and wasted no time getting points on the board. Bogatyri`s Ruslan Krivolap opened the scoring with a successful penalty kick, putting the visitors ahead 0-3.
Fili quickly responded with two impressive tries. Prop Matvey Shiryaev showed remarkable pace and footwork for a front-row forward, completing an unexpected solo break to score. Shortly after, Anton Yunisov capitalised on his own charge-down to cross the line. Petrushka successfully converted both tries, giving Fili a commanding 14-3 lead.
Bogatyri missed a subsequent penalty but managed to claw back a try through scrum-half Nikita Bondarenko, who executed a brilliant break from his own half. With the conversion added, the score narrowed to 14-10. Fili had a chance to extend their lead before halftime, but Yunisov, despite his earlier score, unfortunately dropped the ball with the try line in sight.
However, the Fili captain redeemed himself immediately after the halftime break, completing his brace to push Fili further ahead at 19-10. Bogatyri pressed forward, seeking to close the gap, but the wet field and slippery ball proved to be significant obstacles. While both teams suffered handling errors, the consequences were more severe for Bogatyri, who desperately needed points.
Dmitry Gavrilov`s Fili side maintained composure and added another three points from a penalty, extending their lead to 22-10. With twenty minutes remaining, Bogatyri had time for a potential comeback, but their efforts were undermined by a frustrating series of errors and turnovers. They failed to add a single point in the second half.
Fili successfully avenged their previous heavy defeat against the southern visitors, securing their first victory of the current PARI Higher League season. The result validated CEO Ivan Lysko`s earlier remarks about the team`s readiness to win, though perhaps achieved through a more dramatic, weather-assisted narrative than anticipated.
Final Score: Fili (14) 22:10 (10) Bogatyri
