The University of Memphis Tigers traveled to Cullowhee, NC in the middle of the Smokey’s to the beautiful campus of Western Carolina University to play the Smokey Mountain Conference Tournament.  WCU hosted the tournament and invited Memphis, East Carolina and Murray State, who declined to attend.

ECU best Tigers 68-3

The first match featured the top two teams of the tournament and really was the finals of the tournament.  East Carolina was the dominant team and the Tigers knew it within 15 minutes when ECU took the first points off of a counter play that moved from the ECU 10 yard line 90 meters to the Tigers try line.  The Tigers had difficulty containing their stronger and faster backs and ECU capitalized on missed tackles and unprotected rucks.  The forwards held the scrums until ECU shifted to an 8 man drive.  ECU methodically placed points on the board.  Nothing flashy, just consistent pressure and attack that would finally find a seam.

The Tigers showed lots of heart and continued to play aggressively up to the final whistle.  They clearly faced a better team, but they did not quit and made ECU pay for every sore.

I was very proud of their play. The Tigers played a hard, clean and quiet match… with proper respect for the referee.  In fact, the referee commented on the excellent attitude that was exhibited by the players through the match.

Tigers over WCU 31-5

The Tigers, resolved not to lose two in a row, took the field fresh from a rest at the hotel.  WCU had been beaten soundly in a 50 minute match truncated by a back injury that required the player to be removed from the field on a gurney.

WCU clearly did not want to lose two either, so the battle lines were drawn.  This time, the Tigers were the better team.  This became evident within the first 5 minutes.  We were lower, tighter and demonstrated better support for all phases of play.  We had learned a lot in our first match.  The Tigers protected their ball and was stealing ball  from the opposition set pieces and in open field play.

Phil scored the first try of the game by running down a kick and placing in under the posts.  Conversion puts the tigers up 7-0.  Just before the half WCU forwards push over a maul in injury time to put their first points on the board 7-5.

At half time, the Tigers realize that they get to run down hill… and they decide it is time to turn up the heat.  The scoring machine then started.  In the 6th  and 22nd minutes, Phil again finds the try line on kicks and runs where he flew past the fullback to down the ball in goal.  Josh Campbell picked up points on the conversion.  In the 28t minute, Josh takes his try by diving for the line from a ruck.  Phil converts Josh’s try.  With 4 minutes left in the half, Phil gets lose again and finds gold.  Josh missed the conversion and the game is done.  Final score 31-5.

Tournament Summary:  Phil Elliott named Man of the Match (MVP) with found Jonathan Bauer the best forward for the weekend.

Tour Players: 1. Dylan Carter  2. Josiah Shipley  3. Aimeer McCrary  4. Ryan Phillips  5. Will Fitts  6. Adam Hairston  7. Jonathan Bauer  8. Kian Koleini 9. Jonathan Brewi 10. Phil Elliott 11. Willie Lacey 12. Chris Tapp 13. Jay MacDonnchadh 14. Simren Dhilawal 15. Scott Smith 16. Jamie Perry 17. Joshua Campbell 18. Chris Cobb

Weekend Scoring: Elliott 27, Campbell 7

Millington TN.  Saturday 17, 2012

Following a thorough thrashing of Huntsville, the Blues “A” team yielded the field to allow the Tigers a much needed scrimmage against the Blues “B” team.  The University of Memphis Tigers, hungry for competition following the cancellation of two matches, and fresh back from spring break, had a great run in the sun.

Joshua Campbell started things off with a quick score in the NW corner at the three minute mark following a powerful maul. The forwards had practiced for weeks quickly moving the ball to the back of the maul and this strategy was solid and productive.  The Blues kick off short to begin play and the Tigers attack with Josiah Shipley getting loose and breaking three tackles for a score at 7 minutes.  The conversions are wide due to the tough angle and the wind. Score 10-0

After the restart the Tigers worked their way to the goal line where the Blues were caught offsides.  At the penalty, with excellent execution, Aimeer McCrary dished off to Dylan Carter who dove over for another 5.  At 15 minutes the score is 15-0

Phil Elliott had difficulty with kicks so he decided to run one in and at the 25^th minute he darted through the defense with some nice footwork and dashed to the line.  At 38 minutes in the first half, Aimeer decided to power over and took 5 points for himself.  Phil had difficulty kicking set kicks and decided to send up a drop goal as the referee called full time.  Halftime…. Tigers 28-0.

The second half called for more of the same but the play seemed to become sloppy for some reason.  There was disorganized play and a missed tackles by both sides.  It appeared that concentration was becoming difficult.  Jonathan Brewi decided to straighten things out and dipped and darted through the defense to slot points for himself.  33-0

The blues becoming more organized mounted an offense and finally put 5 points on the board in the southwest corner.  Willie wanted in the game and on a nice breakaway he timed the attack just right and took his 5 points.  The blues scored twice more.  Once on a defensive mistake and once on a pushover try.  38-17

There were lots of fun runs to watch.  (Aimeer screaming down the south touch line to name one.)  But, none was more enjoyable than seeing Kian Koleini, captain of the match, catching the ball from a kick at his 40, running to the Blues 5 with legs and arms pumping, no one could figure out how to tackle him.  All the tacklers could see were elbows and knees.  He was dragged to the ground 12 inches from the try line. Dang!  But… it was great to watch.

Justin Hale took a turn at fly half and in his own half decided it was time to boot one high.  The kick cleared 35 meters and Justin covered the kick with Scott Smith on his left shoulder.  Justin caught the ball on the bounce, froze the fullback and dished off over his left shoulder to Scott at full speed.  Scotty, with a full head of steam is impossible to catch.  He dotted the tryline between the posts.  Justin Walden was called for the conversion and took two points for himself.

So many players had hit the try line in this match that everyone wanted in on the deal.  Hale once more used the foot to advance the ball and once in the clearing gathered the ball and hoofed it around the corner.  Walden took two more on the conversion and the referee had seen enough.  Final score 52-17.

The team retired to Newbies where Kian Koleini was selected Man of the Match by the opposition.  Kian and Phil as captains selected Jonathan Brewi as best back and Aimeer McCrary and most valuable forward.

Players 1. Dylan Carter 2. Josiah Shipley 3. Aimeer McCrary 4. Jonathan Bauer 5. Will Fitts 6. Josh Campbell 7.  Chris Cobb 8. Kian Koleini (Captain) 9. Justin Hale 10. Jonathan Brewi 11. Anthony Smith 12. Tarek Ghwaji 13. Justin Walden 14. Willie Lacey 15. Scott Smith 16. Thomas DiFillippo 17. Lee Downing 18. Adam Hairston 19. Ryan Phillips 20. Phil Elliott (Co-Captain) 21. Jay MacDonnchadh 22. Jamie Perry

Referee:  Brad Cole