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News
A Strong Griffin Performance
vs. Charleston Outlaws...
October 7, 2006 -- What a Saturday it was for Griffin's rugby.
The conditions were awesome, and the stage was set for a hard
fought game. Greenville's preparation was far from stellar,
but once the Griffins assembled and began their pre-match rituals
all knew it was going to be a tough day of hard hitting rugby.
Charleston, being a well drilled side and having enjoyed much
success over the past couple of seasons came in ready to take
it to any opposition that took the pitch against them. The pitch,
with its asphalt like surface was also going to contribute to
the bruising fun about to unfold. From the opening kickoff it
was hard nosed rugby. It resembled two Stags locking their antlers
and rutting about for 80+ minutes.
Greenville started off working the ball down the field phase
after phase. This methodic style of rugby eventually resulted
in a Greenville lineout. From a well executed call the line
was crossed for the first time of the match. However, with the
mass of bodies it was not visible to the ref and the try was
not awarded. From the ensuing scrum the ball went through multiple
phases between the backs and again to the pack for big Zak Hunt
to barge over for the opening score, 5-0. Nice start. Greenville
then received the Outlaw's kickoff and after various phases
lost the ball and Charleston were awarded a scrum. With Greenville
having the upper hand in the scrums they were able to wheel
the scrum, but it actually rotated clockwise and shielded the
loose forwards from Charleston's backline. The ball made it
out wide with an Outlaw back breaking through and scored a 60
meter try. The match was back to level. The Griffins came back
and regained possession of the ball after being pinned down
in their half. After the Outlaw fullback marked an up and under
inside his 22 meter line, he took advantage of a sleeping Griffin
team, quick tapped and ran close to 80m to score under the posts.
Charleston takes the lead. After giving up two unanswered tries,
Greenville managed to keep their cool and stay on the attack.
The result of their efforts was the Griffin's final try of the
half. Charleston countered with the last score of the half and
went in with a 21-12 lead. A definite slugfest was being witnessed
by hundreds.
The second half was made up of huge tackles in the midfield.
Greenville's centers had shut down Charleston's penetration
through the middle, so Charleston put together a game plan of
getting it wide quickly to try and outflank the Griffins with
their speed. The Outlaws were moderately successful but the
Greenville pursuit was relentless and managed to push the Charleston
wings into touch several times resulting in Greenville lineouts.
Greenville winger, Chris Fallow continued to control the Charleston
wings inbetween trips to the sin bin from a gash received earlier
in the match; while Rob Ritz became the Uber Blood sub as he
came on three times over the course of the game for Fallow.
After the match, Fallow was named honorary forward for his efforts.
So the 2nd half ensued and the pounding just continued. Greenville
clawed back close with another try by a quick tap from Brett
Ferreira to score under the posts. The scent of victory was
now in the air and the Griffins were sniffing it out like a
wise bloodhound. The tackling from each side continued to be
immense and intense. Looking like a true chess game; both teams
were moving forward in phases, each trying to out maneuver the
other. Greenville was awarded a scrum about 15 meters out and
executed a backrow move called in from the side lines perfectly.
Dan Roberts, Greenville's number 8, picked up from the back
of the scrum and carried a would-be tackler in for the try.
This was Greenville's first lead since the opening moments of
the match. With a good fifteen minutes of play remaining and
plenty of time for Charleston to come back, Greenville decided
to continue the attack. As opposed to playing a more conservative
(and less effective) style to "preserve" the win.
They continued to tackle like demons and ruck like men possessed.
Once again, the efforts were rewarded with an beautiful corner
try by Brett Ferreira (2nd try of the match). The conversion
was slotted from the corner and the whistle was blown for fulltime.
Final score: Greenville 31 - Charleston 21.
Griffin notables:
Centers: The centers did phenomenal job shutting down
Charleston in the midfield. They came up quick and eliminated
space preventing the Outlaws from making the big breaks to set
up scores. Great Job.
Larry "Lazzer" Fagan: Won "Man-of-the-Match"
honors and showed what it is to play Gnat Rugby Saturday. He
tackled and rucked like a man possessed. He Got it On!!
Rucking: All Griffins did an awesome job rucking
on Saturday. The backs rucked amazingly as did the pack. Greenville
ball was secured at the break downs and Charleston was contested
heavily for their own, losing some. Great job all round:
Heart: Greenville showed a ton of heart Saturday.
They fell behind on the score board and came back strong to
win it. That is huge. Rugby is an 80 minute game and it was
played until the final whistle Saturday. Great job.
Chris Fallow: His head was parted like the
Red Sea and he came back on repeatedly and played his heart
out.
Coaches: Great job with team preparation. This
win was a true result of solid training sessions. You need to
train as you play and you will then play as you train. The seeds
that have been planted are bearing fruit. Awesome job! |
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