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News
Greenville 27 - Cape
Fear 0
February 20, 2007 -- Under less than ideal weather conditions
the Greenville Griffins remained undefeated in the 2007 matrix
season with another brilliant defensive effort topping their
D2 rivals Cape Fear 27 - 0 this past Saturday at "John Roberts
Park" on the Furman University campus. With the forecast calling
for grey skies and gusting winds throughout the afternoon it
was evident that both sides would be forced to play a constrictive
style of rugby, and that points would be hard to come by.
As things progressed during the first half it was clear that
both teams had made the proper adjustments to their usual open
style of play. There was plenty of crash ball and lots of solid
tackling from both sides. Both sides shared equal amounts of
possession and territorial advantage during the first half but
the Griffins were able to capitalise on some positional mistakes
made by Cape Fear to take a 14 -0 half time lead. All of the
Griffins first half points came out of the eventual man of the
match, Jonathan Mullikin in the 15 jersey. His first try came
off of an inside assist from #9 Dutch Jones on a quick tap penalty
from five meters out. His second try of the half was again from
five meters out but came off of the back of a solid scrum from
the Griffins pack (both tries were converted by Mullikin).
To the surprise of nobody the second half played out much the
same as the first half. There was again plenty of crash ball
from both sides with more than adequate defense to cover the
attack. As the second half rolled on the Griffins did just enough
to get on top of the territorial advantage and were rewarded
with two more tries and a Mullikin penalty kick to close out
the match with a well earned 27 - 0 home victory. Although both
of the tries in the second half came as a result of a good forward
oriented effort it was #8 Dan "The Nose" Roberts who was able
to bully his way in for his third try in the last two matches,
and #1 Zach Hunt who got over for his second try in the last
two matches who took the honors for the Griffins pack. In the
face of some serious crosswind Mullikin was unable to add the
extras for either try.
With their third victory in a row the Griffins have clawed their
way back to the top of the matrix table with an unblemished
record of 3-0 with an astonishing points differential of 96pf
- 7pa. This week the Griffins will play host to their D2 matrix
rivals Augusta. Undoubtedly the Griffins will have something
to prove against Augusta due to the defeat they suffered at
their hands during the championship match of the Palmetto Tournement
this past fall. The Griffins will certainly be looking to stamp
their aggressive defensive style all over the match on Saturday.
Eventually someone in the matrix is going to really pay the
price when the Griffins manage to get their attack on track.
Obviously the Griffins will be hoping that it is Augusta. |
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