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News
Griffins Skunk the Possums
April 23, 2007 -- This past Saturday at the beautiful "John Roberts Park" on the Furman University campus the Greenville Griffins continued their trek towards the 2007 National D2 Sweet 16 tournament by securing their spot in the upcoming South Championships with an impressive 41 - 15 victory over an overmatched Knoxville Possums side.
The Griffins earned the right to host the Knoxville Possums in the quarter final playoff by finishing the 2007 spring matrix season at the top of the table by completing a grueling home and away schedule against the likes of Charleston, Augusta, Cape Fear, and the withdrawn Camp LJ side.
As the match got underway it was clear that the Griffins were struggling to find their rhythm. With numerous penalties and several missed opportunities the Griffins did just enough to find their way onto the score board first through a massive effort from the forwards on a five meter scrum. As the ball was put in all 8 men began the long hard push towards the try line. The Possums put up all the resistance that they could manage but #8 Dan Roberts commanded the drive onwards with chants of "And Drive, And Drive, And Drive", and drive they did. Roberts eventually collected the beautifully controlled ball and pounced in for the first Griffins try of the match. #13 Jonathan Mullikin was unable to add the extras but the Griffins were on the board with a 5 - 0 lead. The display of strength and control on that move was almost enough to give the side a false sense of invincibility.
The Griffins were quickly brought back to reality when the Possums answered with a try of their own just four minutes later and leveled the score at 5 - 5. The Possums caught the Griffins in a slow transition from offense to defense after collecting an errant pass from the Griffins inside backs and taking it for a 70 meter try. About 10 minutes later the Possums actually managed to climb into the lead momentarillay by hitting a long range penalty for a 8 - 5 lead.
As the half moved on the Griffins seemed to find their legs and regain the focus that they had lacked at the beginning of the match and they were rewarded by a strong try under the sticks from #10 Brett Ferriera. The move started at the Knoxville 22 as the Griffins forwards managed to steal the Possums throw. The ball was moved quickly and the Griffins returned the favor by catching the Possums in a slow transition. #13 Mullikin added the extras and the Griffins were back in front 12 - 8. Just before the close of the half #13 Mullikin was able to stretch the lead to 15 - 8 by hitting a mid range penalty.
The second half was all one way traffic as the Griffins put on a magical display of 12 man rugby. There were notable efforts from numerous people in the second half, but in a nut shell the next 40 minutes can best be described as the Griffins pack running amuck.
Brandon Harrison touched down for two very impressive trys in the second half, Brett Ferriera added his second of the match, and the fourth try of the half was off a scampering by #9 Dutch Jones. What is known is that between #13 Mullikin and #4 Hedge 3 out of the 4 try were converted.
With their quarter final victory the Griffins now advance to the South Championship tournament being held in Columbus, Georgia. The South Championships will consist of four teams facing off in a two day tournament. From that group of four the top three sides will advance into the 2007 National D2 Sweet 16 tournament being held in Columbia. |
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