South Recap: Clubs Kick Spring Efforts Up a Notch

Women’s Division II:

In Florida, Fort Miami hosted the Jacksonville Sinners Saturday.  The game belonged to Fort Miami, as the club blanked Jacksonville with the final score 74-0.  Fort Miami’s top try scorers include Lindsey Koren (three), Rakayyah Peters (two), Tatum Walker (tries) Karla Cote (one try and one penalty try)., Brie Cokos (one), Kristi Schneep (one), and Karen Liu (one).

Also, in a much closer matchup Saturday, the Orlando Griffins successfully defended their home turf, defeating the Tampa Bay Krewe 27-20.  The Krewe had led 15-0 at halftime, but the Griffins dominated the second half. 

Men’s Division II 

Carolinas/Georgia
In the Carolinas/Georgia, the Greenville Griffins hosted Charlotte Rugby.  For the second Saturday in a row, the Greenville game resulted in a tie score, 22-22, this time against Charlotte.  Matt Myers, Alexander Wohlers, Lawson Ballard each secured one try for Greenville. For Charlotte, Matthew Aronowitz, Nicholas Penning, and Osvaldo Sombo each earned a try. 

Florida
Three games took place Saturday across the Sunshine State.

First, the Naples Hammerheads blasted the Fort Lauderdale Knights 79-7.   Naples try scorers include Jocelyn Edouard (three), Liam Blake (two), Arnold Mananu (two) Daniel Creel (one), William Huie (one try), Torrence Williamson (one), and Kevin Kermundu (one). 

In Orlando, the Griffins hosted the Tampa Bay Krewe for part one of the “War for I-4.”  Tampa defeated Orlando 33-11.  The rematch will take place in Tampa on February 23.

Miami Rugby routed the hosting Okapi Wanderers 58 to 26. For Miami, Christopher Nelson and William Moreno led the team with two tries each. Ariel Marquez, Luis Lucas, Christopher Nelson, Francisco Montaner William Moreno, Miguel Lindsey, David Rodas, and Ridrigo Salas, all scored one try. 

True South
In the True South North, Nashville Rugby defeated Chattanooga Rugby 43-19.  Try Scorers for Nashville include Andrew Rappe (two), Nathan Ring, Colby Wright (one), Nathan Ring (one), David Elliott (one), and Jacob Hicks (one).

In True South’s South, the Birmingham Vulcans rallied from a 22 to 7 deficit to defeat the Baton Rouge Rugby 34-29. Birmingham’s scorers include Marco Calloway (two tries), Erick Hanson (one), Adam Hicks (one), Matt Buford (one), and Beau Guinta (one try).

Men’s Division III

Carolinas
Two matchups took place in the Carolinas subdivision of USA Rugby South. In the first, the Clayton Bootleggers beat the Charlotte Barbarians 37 to 34. For the Bootleggers, Camron Grim earned two tries, with Austin Lyons, Brian Beauregard and Eric Davis each scoring one try.  The Columbia Olde Grey defeated the Raleigh Vipers 29 to 14. The Bootleggers’ tries were scored by Keaton Mauldin (two), Jacob Smith (one), Marquise Snead (one), and Tyler Gillam.  Scorers for the Vipers included Taylor and Andrew Agans, each with one try,

Florida
The Miami Tridents B Side beat Brevard’s Old Red Eye  29 to 18. Martin Parrens scored all three of Bravard’s tries. The Sarasota Surge beat the Tampa Bay Krewe’s D3 20 to 10.  Surge try scorers include James Burles, Nicanor Pombo De Erezcano, and Sieraaj Allie (one each).   Dominic Raciti and Zach Hatras each scored one try for the Krewe. The St. Petersburg Pelicans defeated the Daytona Beach Coconuts 34 to 7. Pelicans scoring tries include Jordan Czaplicki (two), Scott Garren, Calvin Eells, Patrick Forde, Taylor Dowell, and Michael Schwandt (one).  Charles Buckland scored Daytona’s only try.

True South
In the True South East subdivision, Chattanooga Rugby defeated the Gadsden Pioneers Rugby 37 to 27. Wrapping up Saturday’s games in True South’s South, Battleship Rugby defeated the Okaloosa Islanders  35 to 14.