Memphis, TN  November 16, 2013 – The Tigers hosted the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, November 16 and won the contest 49-40.  We were beaten by Alabama in my first season when we traveled to their house.  The team and I had been waiting for a chance to even the score.  This was our weekend to be the victor.

As the Tiger program develops, the style of play advances as well.  The players are able to handle more sophisticated strategies for the offense and defense.  We have been dabbling with the bringing six attackers on offense, the use of blockers in the backline and with the use of power pods of forwards directed by the scrum half.   Alabama would be our first test to see how our implementation was going.

Come game day, we were looking forward to a strong contest at home for our fans.  Our supporters were not disappointed.  The test was tough and with lots of scoring on both sides.  While the match was fun to watch, it was nerve wracking to coach.  Moments of brilliance by the Tigers was punctuated by some really bone headed plays and defensive lapses.

The Tigers took the kickoff, formed a maul, controlled three rucks, worked the ball through the hands of 8 players and Phil Elliott dotted the ball in the southwest corner.  The play took a minute and a half.  Alabama looked stunned.  The Tigers were pumped.

The hours of practice have worked.  We have a solid offense.

Here is one bonehead play that I was referring to.  Following a kickoff, that no-one wanted to touch, the ball rolled to our 5 meter where it was picked up for a quick throw. Our backs were ready for the quick throw, but so was Alabama’s big fast smart number 8.  He took the ball at the five and crashed over the try line.  (The names will remain anonymous, until the end of the year roast where these players will be BBQ’d. Ha!)

Three minutes later, Thomas Strickland scored down the north touchline.  Again in three more minutes, August Myers took a dangerous shot to the head at the try line and was awarded a penalty try.  JC Russell curled in a conversion from a tough angle.  JC is becoming a kicker we can count on.

Alabama scored on a 5 meter penalty dished off to their big fast number 8 who ran over Jonathan Brewi while the forwards watched.  (That will never happen again. I have a commitment from the forwards.)

Jonathan Bauer scores two tries and Phil converts to bring the halftime score to 33 – 12.

This year we have a lot of new players and we let them get some playing time in

development.  So, in the second half, the scoring slowed down as the error rate increased, but we still maintained our offensive dominance.  Thomas Strickland scored again as well as Donavon Thomas. JC and Brewi took the conversions. (I believe I missed a few, I need to review the tape.)   The Alabama # 8 scored a few two more times.  Final score, 49-40.

All in all it was a good effort and demonstrated steady progress by this team in their development.  The win over Alabama just felt good and avenging the loss was just right.   At the social several Alabama players commented on the maturity of our program.  30 players suited  up for the match, we gave Alabama a hard run and  treated them to a first class social at Ubee’s where we served burgers, fries and Gatorade The lads mingled with the opposition while we watched the match on the TV. Memphis is doing it right.

Adam consulted the team and it was determined that the Man of the Match was Jonathan Bauer.  He is one tough forward.  Best back was Donavan Thomas, tough as nails runner and defensively solid.  Good job lads.

Photos by Pam Brewi

Referee James Wilson

 

 

 

 

 

Memphis v Miss State in Starkville ,MS

Kickoff:  1:00

Pitch: 300 stone blvd. starkville, MS.

Social Immediately to follow:

Lineup on game day.

Meet at Central parking lot at 7:45am for the trip.

Atlanta, GA – November 3, 2013  Four Memphis Tigers were selected to play for the South Independent Rugby Conference Select Side when they played Life University Collegiate Side.  Phil Elliott, Scott Smith, Josiah Shipley and Jonathan Bauer were seleced to play in this match following a trial  that was held on October 12, 2013.

Fourteen Tigers participated in the SIRC trial, which consisted of a combine and SIRC North v. SIRC South match.  Several  Tigers won medals including TJ Hardaway for the strongest and fastest back of the North, Ronnie Roberson for most fit forward of the North, Phil Elliott for best kickoff of the North and Cameron Walton for the most fit back of the North.

Coach Cole is the SIRC Select Side head coach and he is joined by Coach Steve Swatzyna and Coach Carey Stevens.

Life is the current D1A national champion and they showed their talent when they played the SIRC.  The SIRC did not have the ball very much.  Life has perfected ball

control and that makes them a formitable opponent.

The SIRC is planning to play the South U22 in the near future.

Check out our players and SIRC news at  https://www.facebook.com/SIRCSelectSide?ref=hl.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bowling Green, KY…. The Tigers traveled to Kentucky to take on Western Kentucky University RFC November 2, 2013.  (Yea, I know I’m behind)  Western has recently reformed their team under the direction of Josh Farrell, their new coach.  When we got on the field, it was clear that they out-sized the Tigers by 20 pounds per man. Hmmm… they must have been recruiting. However, the Tigers are used to playing bigger teams and we used the same tactic on these lads that we used on UNA.  We used superior technique and speed to win the day.

The Tigers were short three of our best players, Phil Elliott, Scott Smith, Jonathan Bauer and were called up to play Life University for the South Independent Rugby Conference.  Joshua Shipley was called up as well, but he decided to play two matches on the weekend.

The WKU pitch is downhill from the west posts to the east posts and the Tigers took the downhill run in the first half.  J C Russell started off the scoring with a nice penalty kick 35 meters out.  Quinterius Person scored the first try sprinting down the sidelines to score in the southeast corner at 4:27.   JC curled in a nice kick from the south touchline to put the Tigers up 10 – 0.

The Tigers continued to dominate the game and scored easily twice more before the half.  T J Hardaway

took a try and Quinn took his second try of the day.  The Tigers are up 20-12 at the half.

The Tigers ran up hill the second half but that did not change the game plan…  bash twice and swing the ball wide.  Anthony stood at fly half and did an admirable job running the offense.  You could tell that he enjoyed a crack at that position.

Josiah Shipley and Thomas scored in the second half with JC taking both conversions.  The Tigers ended the day on top 33-22.  Everyone got a chance to play and Coach Swat, who ran the team for the day, placed players in some creative positions.  He said, “I wanted to see what they could give me.”

The Tigers continue to mature and show plenty of heart.  With each match we mature and firm up our game plan.