Women’s Division II:
Carolinas/Georgia
In the Carolinas/Georgia subdivision, the Eno River Rage defeated the Columbia Bombshells Saturday 33 to 28. While the Rage had led the Bombshells by 28 to 7 after the first forty minutes of the game, the Bombshells tied the game at 28 with fifteen minutes left to play. However, with the final five minutes, Carol Trammell scored the fourth of her four tries to secure Eno River’s win. Not to be ignored, Precious Cummings scored three of Columbia’s four tries.
Florida
Headed south toward the Sunshine State Saturday, the Orlando Griffins hosted the Jacksonville Sinners, and subsequently defeated the Sinners 57 to 12. Jessica Warner led Orlando with four tries – three before and one after halftime. Kristen Kent and Emily Ellis each secured tries for Jacksonville.
True South
Heading back north and west, the Nashville Stone Lions shut out visiting Mobile’s Battleship women’s side 50 to 0. Candace Webster, Shelby Mindar, and Ireland Duncan each scored two tries for Nashville.
Men’s Division II
Carolinas/Georgia
Two games were played Saturday in the Carolinas/Georgia subdivision of USA Rugby’s Southern Division.
In the first match-up, Tobacco Road Rugby lost two Southern Pines Rugby 72 to 12. Both of Tobacco Road’s tries were scored in the second half, by Matthew Markovetz and Bryce Jehner.
Also, in action the Greenville Griffins defeated Charlotte Rugby 10 to 0. James Rogers and Martin Ryan earned tries for their team.
Florida
Heading back to Florida, eight of the state’s nine Men’s Division II clubs saw action Saturday, with four of the team’s wrapping up their regular seasons. While four of the clubs will partake in games this coming Saturday, five have finished pre-playoff play for the 2019 Spring Season.
The Tampa Bay Krewe defeated Miami Rugby 33 to 27. At the half, two tries from Charles Hutchings helped give Tampa Bay its 15 to 8 advantage at the half, with Derek Jones scoring a try for Miami. After halftime, Jared Garcia and Jeffrey McFarland scored tries for the Krewe, whereas John Bankston, Borja Sepulveda, and Francisco Gonzales Montaner reached the try zone for Miami.
While the Miami Tridents only had a 21 to 19 lead at the half over the Okapi Wanderers, Miami went into overdrive in the second half, beating Okapi 69 to 26. Constantinos Bulgarides and Walter Garcia were among the Tridents’ try scorers Saturday.
Not far from Miami, the Boca Raton Buccaneers 44 defeated the Naples Hammerheads 44 to 21. At the half, Boca led 18 to 7, with tries from Adam Freeman and Tristen Gray. In the second half, Georry Lubrice, Michael Oliver, Stewart Harris, and Petr Musil earning Buccaneers tries.
Wrapping up coverage of Florida’s Division II Men’s action Saturday, the Orlando Griffins 77 shutout the Jacksonville Rugby.
Five of Florida’s rugby clubs concluded their seasons last Saturday. The other four – the Boca Raton Buccaneers will take on the Miami Tridents, and the Fort Lauderdale Knights square off against the Okapi Wanderers this coming Saturday. The Boca Raton versus the Miami (Trident) contest will determine which team finishes with the higher seed. Neither Fort Lauderdale nor Okapi are in contention for post-season play.
Men’s Division-III:
The Division-III Men’s Sides proved to be the most active level of rugby action Saturday, with the Carolinas/Georgia, Florida, and True South all having at least one side playing for potential playoff positions.
Carolinas/Georgia
Cape Fear Rugby defeated the Columbia Old Grey 27 to 19. Cape Fear shut out Columbia through the first half (10 to 0), but the Old Grey’s Keaton Mauldin, Justin Goette, and Tyler Gillam putting a try each on the board before the game wrapped up.
Not far away, the Clayton Bootleggers ran all over the Raleigh Vipers in a 62 to 19 stomping. Both Robert Eason and Eric Hile led Clayton, and the game, with two tries a piece. Jordan Robertson, John Ahenda, and Taylor Young put points on the board for Raleigh.
Florida
Only one game took place Saturday in the Sunshine State. There, the Gainesville Hogs hosed back the Sarasota Surge 25 to 14. Sieraaj Allie scored Sarasota’s sole try, with three penalty kicks giving the Surge its other nine points.
The Sarasota Surge is the only one of Florida’s nine Division III Men’s clubs who has wrapped up their 2019 Season last weekend. The remaining eight clubs will finish their seasons this Saturday.
True South
Finishing up Saturday’s Southern Divisions action, Headhunters Rugby defeated the Chattanooga D2 38 to 29. Braedon Costa and Phillip Richmond led the Headhunters, and the game, with two tries each.
