USA Rugby Victorious over USM
Match Report from Coach Darwin for USA vs. USM 9/22/2012
In their first match of the season the South Alabama Jaguars travelled to Hattiesburg, MS to face the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. Many of the guys in the roster were starting in their first ever rugby match. The weather for the match was warm and sunny and for the first time ever the Jaguars were playing on turf.
The referee was Jim Harsh and the match was kicked off at 1:30. Both teams agreed to play 4 – 20min periods – Jaguars would receive the kickoff. The first period was back and forth with several knock-ons and minor infractions as both teams settled into their roles. The referee did well to manage the young teams but eventually the Jaguars were penalized deep in their own end for improper binding in the scrum.
The Golden Eagles weren’t able to capitalize on the penalty and the Jaguars roared back to push the Eagles back into their own half. Several back to back penalties against the Eagles allowed the Jags to kick for touch and move the ball into scoring position. Gabriel Torres touched the ball down in the corner of the end zone @35 min. into the match. The try went unconverted. 5-0 USA. The Eagles woke up and went back to work and were finally able to put points on the board with a penalty kick from just inside the Jags 22 meter line. 5-3 USA.
More loose play from both teams saw one knock on after another. The scrum that followed was penalized after the ref again noticed improper binding in the front row forwards. Golden Eagles took the opportunity to take a small lead with a penalty kick just before halftime leaving the score at 5-6 USM. Both teams retired at halftime but only one team returned – the Jags focused on getting it right at the breakdown and amped up their constant pressure on the #9 and #10. Once they got possession they drove down the field off a series of pick and go’s inside the 22 until CJ Leggett picked up the ball from the back of a ruck 3 meters from the goal line and dove in under the sticks to score his first ever try in his first ever game! Carlos Gemenez converted the try to bring the score to 12-6 USA.
The Jaguars minimized their penalties in the second half and were only dinged for an early push in the scrum, and a dangerous tackle over the entire second half. The Eagles however were not quite as disciplined and the Jags marched down the field. Gabriel Torres bagged his second try from a pick and go off the back of the scrum and dotted down to the right of posts with 10 minutes remaining in the match. The conversion missed and the Jags led 17-6. The Golden Eagles played physical until the end but not before Carlos Gimenez was able to break through a tackle and swerve around the Eagles fullback to score his first ever try in his first ever match! Conversion was kicked wide right ending the match and leaving the final score at 22-6! Jags win! Jags win!
USA Rugby Team poses after a victory against USM