Match-ups brought smiles and heartbreaks alike at the Florida Rugby Championship, held Saturday, April 20, at the Wellington (Florida) Polo Fields. Southeast Florida clubs felt the thrill from victories. Gainesville, and especially Tampa Bay, endured the agony from defeats. The match-ups listed, as played in chronological order.
Florida Men’s Division III: Palm Beach Panthers v. Gainesville Hogs
The tree-game Florida Rugby Championship kicked off at noon, with the Men’s Division-III Championship between the Palm Beach Panthers and the Gainesville Hogs. Through the first half, the two teams kept the game tight. Justin Philpot scored a penalty kick at the 7 minute mark for Palm Beach, followed by a try at 12th by Bryan Todman. Gainesville’s lock Eric McGhee scored his team’s try just before halftime.
However, the Palm Beach Panthers took control of the contest in its second half. The Panthers’ David Lanier and Sean Taggart tagged on two tries. When combined with a second penalty kick and a conversion by Justin Philpot, the Palm Beach Panthers took home the Florida Rugby Division III Championship with their 23-5 win over the Gainesville Hogs.
Brett Stubs added some perspective after the game, “It feels great to get the win Saturday against Gainesville. It was a really tight and physical game for most of it, but we managed to put up enough points in the second half to put it away. We’ve been battling those guys for years and to win back to back state championships is big for our team. We’re fortunate to only come away from that physical a game with no big injuries and look forward to representing Florida again.”
Todd Streeter of the Hogs stated, "While the score-line may show 23 points against, 7 of those were on an 80 meter try by the Palm Beach scrumhalf after a Gainesville handling error at about the 65th minute (extending the lead to 20-5). On offense, we struggled to put together more than 4-5 phases and credit to Palm Beach on being adept ballhawks, as they stripped our attackers of possession at inopportune times, negating momentum.'
Florida Men’s Division II Final: Tampa Bay Krewe v. Miami Tridents
After the Panthers clinched the Men’s Division-III title, the Tampa Bay Krewe kicked off the Men’s Division-II Florida Rugby Final against the Miami Tridents. In the first half, the Krewe capitalized on tries from Charlie Hutchings and Sowani Nabiau, along with a conversion by Dion Opperman amassing 12 points in the first half. The Tridents’ Connor Christie scored a try and combined with a conversion and penalty kick by Sean Murray, the Tridents earned 10 points before halftime, leaving them with just a two-point deficit going into the second half.
Miami scored the first try of the second half. After a conversion from Connor Christie, the Tridents had taken a 7-point lead over the Krewe. Seven minutes later, Will Monnery also tacked on a Tampa Bay try. Following a conversion and penalty kick by Dion Opperman, the Krewe held on to a 22 to 17 lead as the game rapidly approached full time. However, Miami regained possession of the ball for the game’s final possession. At the 80 minute mark, the Tridents Rico Hinojosa tied Tampa 22 all. Following Christie’s conversion, Miami won the match 24 to 22.
Miami's Miguel Pena explains what happened for his team to pull of the win, “The match was a true representation of rugby with respect and competition on display for 80 minutes. You guys [Krewe] were relentless on attack and seemed to move the gain line forward on every phase. We wanted to keep play tight to our [Tridents] pack and work our offense through our set pieces. For the majority of the match you guys had possession, but we were fortunate enough to have an opportunity in the final minutes to push in for the winning try with our forward play. It was one of the most intense matches I have played in and Tampa genuinely has my respect.”
Tampa Bay Coach Dai Morgan, noted after the game, “Well, we [Krewe] are all disappointed, heartbroken would be a better way of describing it. But, hats off to the Tridents. They did not give in at the 80th minute when they scored. All credit to them. We had some chances to put them away, when we had them pinned in there, within their own 22 for about 20 minutes in the second half. The gusty winds took a toll on our kicking through the entire game too. Unfortunately, we let them off the hook. They broke out of jail. They are going on. We are going home.”
Florida’s Women’s Division-II Final, Fort Miami RFC v. Tampa Bay Krewe:
The Florida Rugby Championshi finale featured the Fort Miami RFC taking on the Tampa Bay Krewe. Considering that Tampa Bay had handed Fort Miami its only loss in years, the game’s outcome was far from certain.
In the first half, the Krewe defense actually held the Fort Miami RFC out of the try zone. Miami had to rely on two Marie Zeoli penalty kicks to earn its six-point first half. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, tallied tries from Elizabeth Gallant, Ruth Amy Rogan and a conversion by Robyn Oliveri, the Krewe took a 12 to 6 lead going into the second half.
At the 51 minute mark, Fort Miami’s Brie Cokos scored her team’s first try, giving Fort Miami a lead of 16 to 12. However, Tampa Bay answered, with a try from the Krewe’s Ruth Black , giving the Krewe a narrow 17 to 16 advantage. Following Tampa Bay’s try, Fort Miami’s Morgan Brown and Kristi Schnepp added tries for their club. After Karla Cote-Torres converted the final try, Fort Miami RFC had defeated the Tampa Bay Krewe 28 to 17.
Fort Miami’s Captain Marie Zeoli explained what the win means for the club, “It was refreshing to have another new competition in the state finals this year. Regardless of us losing multiple starters last year we were more prepared than we have ever been. We have some strong newcomers to the team that stepped up into pivotal roles. The depth on our bench is unmatchable. We haven't had this many women available for games in a long time. It makes the rostering process a challenge. The loss we had to Tampa earlier in the season was humbling, but I truly believe it was the best thing that happened for our team. It was great to have multiple teams competing for the spot to compete for the top seed of the state this year. We have an unstoppable game plan and a phenomenal team. We haven't reached our full potential yet. I can't wait to see how we do in the post season.”
Tampa Bay Krewe's President Mary Leigh Miller noted what the season meant to the club, "It’s incredible the journey and progress this club has made in just a short time of existence. We grew stronger and closer together every week leading up to finals, and left everything on the field come game day. The energy was absolutely amazing and high and full of pride as our Krewe Brothers surrounded us during the pre-game hype. And we are so proud to stand beside them. Both women’s teams played hard. Many great plays were made. But we hope that by being the underdogs today, and by being an example of hard work, commitment and camaraderie pays off, we made a loud presence that women’s rugby in Florida is turning a new leaf. I am so proud of this team, and grateful for our coaches and supporters. Making it to the finals was a win in itself. And now, in honor of the true spirit of rugby, it’s up to all of Florida women’s rugby to pull together and support one of our own as they advance forward to Souths. Good luck Fort Miami!'
