The Memphis Tigers Rugby team traveled to Mobile, Alabama last weekend to participate in the Battleship Rugby Invitational Tournament (BRIT).  BRIT is a destination for many touring international teams due to the solid competition and the enjoyment of the venue.  The matches are played at the park at the foot of the Battleship Alabama.

Tiger Leadership with first place

The Tigers took on the Ragin’ Cajuns in their first match besting the Cajuns 29-5.  Tries were scored by Gavin, Musa, Grant, Derek and Ryan.  Grant, added two conversions and a penalty kick to round out the scoring.  The lads had the upper hand throughout the match and were clearly the fitter team. Coach Swatzyna’s strategy of three punches to the gut then swinging the ball wide sprung the speedy Tiger wingers for much of the territory gain.

In the second match on Saturday, the Tigers took on Lafayette, LA.  It took a while for the Tigers to warm up, but just before the end of the second half, the Tigers got loose and at halftime the Tigers were on top, 12-7.  After the break, the Tigers fitness begin to show and they dominated most of the play and stood in Lafayette’s half much of the time.  The Tigers went up 25-7.  Lafayette scored a late breakaway try at the end of the match as the Tiger replacements got some time in the match.

Grant, Chase, Will and Musa scored tries and Grant notched 5 more points with this boot.  The final score was 25-14.

On Sunday, the Tigers faced Battleship Rugby Team. The home team was more of a challenge for the Tigers, and since this was a championship match for the bracket, the competition was fierce.  Admittedly, the Tigers were sore from the previous day’s work, but once they loosened up, the ball began to move more freely.  Ethan Scott drew first blood with a breakaway run.  Grant added the conversion and the Tigers were off to the races. Grant slotted the next try and the conversion to take a solid lead before halftime, 14-0.

In the second half, Coach Swat strategically moved his players to get everyone playing time and prime positions and the Tigers used fresh legs to continue to dominance.  Battleship finally got on the board with a try and conversion.  Grant finished the day with a long penalty shot to end the match at 17-7.

The Tigers took first place honors in their division proving the team’s capacity to move the ball and control the game.

BRIT winners