The Tigers left Memphis early (5:00am) on Thursday the 27th of April, so they had some time to check out Washington DC on their way to the host hotel. Below are a few pics for you to enjoy.
Tigers invade the CapitolCongressman Cohen hosted the Tigers for 35 minutes with lively banter! The Museum of Natural History was an escape from the rain! Tigers stretching their hands before warmups!
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Memphis Tigers arrived in Washington on Thursday 27th April.
After checking into the Hotel and a spot of lunch we headed to the Capitol where the office of Congressmen Cohen had organized a private tour.
The Tour was better than we thought seeing a lot of history and being able to see the Old Supreme Court Chamber, Old Senate Chamber and the Magna Carta replica which became such an integral part of the US constitution. We were also very lucky to see Paris Hilton, who was also touring and blew the Tigers a kiss, although there is debate on where she was aiming the kiss.
After an hour and a half of the Capital, we were escorted to the office of Congressmen Steve Cohen, where he spent 30-40 minutes talking to the players and answering any questions put to him.
Friday was game day and our first game at 10:00am was against Washington St Louis. An early try by Colin and converted by Conor settled our nerves and we were able to win 21-10 with Tries from Colin, Jason and Conor, with Conor converting all 3.
Our next game was just after 2pm against NC State. As the day went on the rain and the wind had picked up so much that most teams were in their cars or vans unless they were playing. Our first half saw NC State score an unconverted try making it 5-0 at the half. Second half opened with Conor tying up the game making it 5-5. Long into the 2nd half NC State were able to break through to score another try and convert making the score 12-5.
The conditions were so bad including hail and as our next game was around 5pm we headed back to the Hotel to clean kit and get warm. However, we were advised as we were getting ready to go back to the field, that all games were cancelled for the rest of the day and our final game that we would have played would take place on Saturday.
Friday night at approximately 11.35pm we were notified we were to play at 08:55am against Towson.
The weather was much better on Saturday. And whilst it took us a little while to get into our rhythm, Towson had put in a quick try making it 5-0. Jalen made a great breakaway try with Conor converting giving us a 2-point advantage and we did not look back after that with Jason, Conor and Tyler all putting in tries to make the score 28-5. Tries were by Jalen, Jason, Conor, Tyler and Conor converting all 4.
Unfortunately, the communication was not so great at Nationals, but we were to meet Georgetown in the quarterfinals after 2pm.
Georgetown were a very large side and could move the ball and with only a couple of mistakes made by the Tigers put us 14-0 in the first half. Tigers had been in this position before and came back fighting in the second half with Nick getting our first try and then Sehrab quickly put in our second try. Tyler had a great breakaway try making the score 15-14 Tigers.
We knew that time was up and just needed to hold on or get the ball off the field for us to move onto semifinals. However, a penalty was given for not releasing, 12 yards off our try line. Unfortunately, one of the Georgetown players fell awkwardly in a great tackle that caused a 20-minute break and when we returned, we were on our goal line and knew we had to get Georgetown to make a mistake and the game was ours, but at the tap penalty they took a well-executed drop goal and ended winning 17-15.
We would have one more game although unofficial. We played for 5th and 6th place against University of North Iowa and what a final performance it was with Joaquin as our Captain.
We went straight into typical Tigers sevens and racked up a very good lead in the first half 24-0. The second half was no different with Joaquin taking leadership opened up the middle of the field scoring under the posts and was able to convert his own try. Tyler and Emilio had not finished and Tyler took the score to 36-5 and Emilio finished it off by splitting UNI down the middle and scored his 2nd try of the game to give us a convincing 41-5 win.
Tries by Emilio 2, Tyler 2, Christian, Joaquin, Jalen. Conversions from Mat 2, Joaquin 1.
Apart from Auburn we did not know any other team in any of the pool games and Tigers did not let us down and played extremely well. I believe that we will be back again next year.
From the coaches standpoint it was a huge pleasure coaching the Tigers this season and both on and off the field Memphis Tigers were a force to be reckon with.
We are forever grateful for Tiger Rugby Nation getting behind our national championship run. We were honored and humbled by the outpouring of support from our families, friends, and alumni. Thanks so very much for your sacrifice and for your support. This opportunity to test ourselves against some of the best teams in the nation was a once in lifetime opportunity for many of our players. You have left an important mark on the lives of our young men. Thanks so much!
You can financially support the Tigers by donating at this link. We need your help and any dollars you give move the Tigers toward a win. Thanks for anything you can do.
Do you have a Kroger Card? If so, Kroger will give the Tigers money if you sign up and tell the to do so. Here is how you can get free money for the Tigers. Please link your card today. If you don’s have a Kroger card you can get one from for free from any Kroger store.
On behalf of the Washington Irish, I’d like to once again congratulate you and the entire Memphis squadon the CRCs last weekend. From our vantage point, the weekend was a major success for the sport – in spite of weather challenges – and you all should be proud of what you accomplished. All of us from the Irish enjoyed watching you compete at the highest level of collegiate rugby, and we hope to see you back in Maryland next year!
In addition to supporting the growth of the sport we love, our hope in sponsoring this year’s tournament was to demonstrate to collegiate ruggers that rugby life after graduation is vibrant, competitive, and inclusive. We are proud of the club we maintain, which offers opportunities for athletes of all experience and skill levels. Whether you’re interested in playing socially to stay active or pursuing a potential career as a professional player, we have opportunities for all interested ruggers.
Should any of your players have an interest or goal in making the DC area home after school, we’d love to be their first choice club. Beyond the pitch, we offer a social environment and a professional network that is second to none. This is why we consider ourselves a Club for Life. We welcome any interested players to reach out directly or feel free to get in touch via our Player Registration Form.
Congrats once again! We hope to see you again next year!
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You can watch your Tigers play the national championships from your computer. The matches at CRC 7s are being live streamed on the Rugby Network. Signup to watch is free. If you go to YouTube feed you can rewind to end of the first game.
The 2023 CRC 7s will be carried by The Rugby Channel. The premiere games will be played in the stadium and will be covered along with the championships from the other divisions. When the Tigers make it to the finals, they will be on TV. The Championship match will probably be played on Sunday.
You can financially support the Tigers by donating at this link. We need your help and any dollars you give move the Tigers toward a win. Thanks for anything you can do.
Do you have a Kroger Card? If so, Kroger will give the Tigers money if you sign up and tell the to do so. Here is how you can get free money for the Tigers. Please link your card today. If you don’s have a Kroger card you can get one from for free from any Kroger store.
April 21, 2023 Memphis, Tennessee – The Tigers have been busy preparing for nationals. Practices are going well and the boys are healing up a little in advance of the upcoming competition. We’ve been on TV, in the papers and there is a buzz in town about the success of the team. All of this is very exciting.
Pool A NC State Washington U (St. Louis) Memphis Towson
Pool B Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Georgetown UNC Wilmington Chicago
Pool C Northern Iowa Norwich Scranton Auburn
We were glad to see that Auburn were in another pool. We outlasted them this year in a tough battle and maybe we can meet them again in the finals.
The Tigers have their work cut out for them. Coach Beck said that this competition is much tougher than last year. He is working hard to vet the competition we can get clues on what we might be facing.
We are still raising money. Friends and family are continuing to learn about our run and continue to give. We are a few thousand dollars short, so if you can help us, we would appreciate it. Here is the Go Fund Me. With contributions through go fund me, we get every penny, since we are a not-for-profit foundation. Please spread the word and share this post.
You can financially support the Tigers by donating at this link. We need your help and any dollars you give move the Tigers toward a win. Thanks for anything you can do.
Do you have a Kroger Card? If so, Kroger will give the Tigers money if you sign up and tell the to do so. Here is how you can get free money for the Tigers. Please link your card today. If you don’s have a Kroger card you can get one from for free from any Kroger store.
April 17, 2023 Memphis, Tennessee – The Tigers are getting lots of attention in the city. With the Tigers successful spring season, conference championship win and bid to the Nationals, the word is getting out. We have been highlighted by The Daily Memphian and a news clip on Channel 5 with Gina Neeley.
Today, the Tiger Rugby was honored by the Shelby County Commission with a resolution sponsored by Chairman Mickell Lowery. The Tigers are being honored for their conference win and for winning a bid to USA Nationals.
Chairman Mickell Lowrey with Memphis Tigers and Coaches Hill and Beck
The Tiger Rugby family, friends and Tiger Old Boys have rallied behind the Tigers along with players from the Blues, Old #7, and Flamingos. Many Memphis Rugby Hall of Famers have backed the Tigers. All working together to raise the critical funds needed to go to Nationals.
April 15, 2023 Oxford, Mississippi – Memphis took both their A+B sides to what will be our last tournament before Nationals.
Memphis A started the day against Tulane and comfortably put th the 1st game behind them winning 33-0. Tries from Tyler 3, Sehrab, and Conor, with Conor converting 4.
Memphis 2nd game was against Memphis B and this is always a derby game as everyone knows each other and our style of play. However, Memphis A punished B for every mistake and won 54-0. Tries from Tyler 2, Nick 2, Jalen, Christian, Sehrab, Conor and Emilio, with Conor converting 5.
Our final game was against the hosts Ole Miss and with Memphis scoring fairly quickly through Nick. Ole Miss came back with a try and the only points scored against Memphis A. Memphis quickly put this behind them and turned up the tempo, playing some excellent sevens and finished the day with a 47-5 win. Tries coming from Sehrab 3, Joaquin 2, Nick, Tully, and Conor slotted 6 conversions.
Scores for the day:
Memphis B 12 v Ole Miss 32 Memphis B 0 v Memphis A 54 Memphis B 19 v Tulane 21 Memphis B 15 v All-star Tulane/Ole Miss 0.
Our men of the tournament “A” were Sehrab and Tyler for excellent play. Man of the tournament “B” going to Cyrus. Our 2nd Team had a good day with the following scores. Not all of our best players were available for this tournament. We had a few out due to work/ROTC and had a few out healing from injuries sustained during the long spring of play.
This was an important tune-up before we go to Nationals in Washington, DC in two weeks. We are continuing to work hard and hope the lads perfectly peak in two weeks.
Tigers A and B at Ole Miss Tournament
Tiger Nation has really come through on our fund raiser for Nationals. We are close to funding our travel budget of $20,000. We are very grateful for everyone who has shared with us so we can make this dream a reality for the University of Memphis Rugby Team.
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