Well, for sure we took another one on the chin against Greenville. I think the score was 38-0. But we played well in spots and hung with them when they played their newer guys against us.
We are getting better but our backline defense really did us in last week. Our boys need to learn to reset defensively after rucks and to communicate. Our backline failed to attack with cohesion and were exploited.
That game came on the heels of 15-5 loss to Lugoff. That game was tied 5-5 with just 10 minutes or so remaining. We have three more games remaining…Sumter this weekend, a long break, and then Irmo and Chapin.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lumps
Of the 15 taking the pitch against Easley, 13 were 8-10th graders. I think “young team” is a too-often used coach’s cliché. Certainly all the kids are young. But the bromide is befitting here. All the teams we play are going to be bigger. All will be older. We will be outmatched physically and athletically. Faced with these circumstances, the only thing we can do is tackle low, play with as much tenacity as we can muster and get better each week.
And we will get better each week. Last Saturday, we were thrashed by Easley. Our tackling was high. So we worked on that Tuesday. And we’ll do it again Thursday. You learn more about a team in defeat than you do in victory. And how we respond to this loss – and any other looming losses – will be telling. To be sure, the sweet taste of victory will be savored more after sampling the sourness of defeat. Here are some photos of the game.
And we will get better each week. Last Saturday, we were thrashed by Easley. Our tackling was high. So we worked on that Tuesday. And we’ll do it again Thursday. You learn more about a team in defeat than you do in victory. And how we respond to this loss – and any other looming losses – will be telling. To be sure, the sweet taste of victory will be savored more after sampling the sourness of defeat. Here are some photos of the game.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Greenville 20 Spartans 13
Heading into our contest against Greenville B this past weekend, the Spartans faced several obstacles. Both of our starting centers (seniors) had left the team. So all of our efforts during the past month to develop timing, craft plays and strategies for our backline were for naught…in the trashcan. In football terms, we had to punt.
Also, both practices this week were cancelled due to rain.
Tackling throughout the first half was poor and rucking was average. Predictably, our new backline faced difficulties realigning for defense. But, we used some timely kicking and spurts of good rugby to take a 13 -5 lead. Then the superior size and athleticism of the other squad took over, a refrain that occurred last week. Tackling lapsed and Greenville scored three trys in succession to take the win. Considering our size and youth, now just three seniors on the team, we will continue to face these issues.
We need to buckle down and concentrate during these critical times late in the game. When you are tired, you begin looking for the other guy to make the play. Your tackling becomes lazy. We, too, need to focus on the break down area. Since we are smaller we must be more tenacious at the spot where ball meets the deck.
Again, our effort was good, mostly. We’ll get better this week and continue to grow. Here are some photos of the game.
Also, both practices this week were cancelled due to rain.
Tackling throughout the first half was poor and rucking was average. Predictably, our new backline faced difficulties realigning for defense. But, we used some timely kicking and spurts of good rugby to take a 13 -5 lead. Then the superior size and athleticism of the other squad took over, a refrain that occurred last week. Tackling lapsed and Greenville scored three trys in succession to take the win. Considering our size and youth, now just three seniors on the team, we will continue to face these issues.
We need to buckle down and concentrate during these critical times late in the game. When you are tired, you begin looking for the other guy to make the play. Your tackling becomes lazy. We, too, need to focus on the break down area. Since we are smaller we must be more tenacious at the spot where ball meets the deck.
Again, our effort was good, mostly. We’ll get better this week and continue to grow. Here are some photos of the game.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Spring Valley 17- Greer 5
On Saturdday the Greer Rugby Spartans took to the pitch for the squad's first full game. The Opponent: a very large Spring Valley team, rife with upperclassmen, that consistently competes for the state championship each year.
The Spartans, undersized and out-experienced at every position, made a very good accounting for themselves. Throughout the first half the Greer team used tactical kicking to keep the larger Spring Valley team off-balance. Michael D'onofrio put the team up 5-0 with a try midway through the first half.
During the second half, Spring Valley turned on the heat and put more pressure on the Spartans who were unable to boot the ball deep. As the squad became tired, we began to tackle high and Spring Valley scored three trys to take a 17-5 win.
I spoke with the Spring Vally coach and he offered high praise. Most of their players are returning and all of them were upperclassmen. We have 3-4 seniors,0 junionrs and the rest are 8th and 9th graders. Keep working. Here are some photos of the game.
The Spartans, undersized and out-experienced at every position, made a very good accounting for themselves. Throughout the first half the Greer team used tactical kicking to keep the larger Spring Valley team off-balance. Michael D'onofrio put the team up 5-0 with a try midway through the first half.
During the second half, Spring Valley turned on the heat and put more pressure on the Spartans who were unable to boot the ball deep. As the squad became tired, we began to tackle high and Spring Valley scored three trys to take a 17-5 win.
I spoke with the Spring Vally coach and he offered high praise. Most of their players are returning and all of them were upperclassmen. We have 3-4 seniors,0 junionrs and the rest are 8th and 9th graders. Keep working. Here are some photos of the game.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Practice, photos, game times and other items
The Greer Rugby Spartans will launch the squad's inaugural season with a 10 a.m. game this Saturday at John Roberts Field on the Furman campus. Afterwards, Greenville will take on Gilbert, a match up of two perennial high school powers in the state.
Jack Daniels, has posted some excellent photos of our contest against Easley here Jack checks these forums quite regularly. If you are pleased with his work, drop him a thank you note. He is a new fan to rugby and a genuinely nice guy.
As of right now practice is scheduled for 5-6:30 PM tomorrow...assuming of course that the fields are dry. If practice is cancelled, I'll let everyone know as soon as I do (when I get an email from the county). I have fielded a few emails from students and parents who have expressed an interest in our team. So I am enthusiastically optimistic that we'll see a few new faces tomorrow at East Riverside. As I have said before, we need a solid roster of 25 or so to endure the rigors of full season.
Jack Daniels, has posted some excellent photos of our contest against Easley here Jack checks these forums quite regularly. If you are pleased with his work, drop him a thank you note. He is a new fan to rugby and a genuinely nice guy.
As of right now practice is scheduled for 5-6:30 PM tomorrow...assuming of course that the fields are dry. If practice is cancelled, I'll let everyone know as soon as I do (when I get an email from the county). I have fielded a few emails from students and parents who have expressed an interest in our team. So I am enthusiastically optimistic that we'll see a few new faces tomorrow at East Riverside. As I have said before, we need a solid roster of 25 or so to endure the rigors of full season.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
No practice today
The fields are too wet. There will no game this weekend. Enjoy the time off and get excited about next week. We host Spring Valley next Saturday!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
A Grand Success
The Greer Rugby Spartans made our debut Sunday, playing three short games in a drizzle at Furman.
Donning blue and white jerseys with hooped white and blue socks, the squad -- composed mostly of underclassmen -- improved during each contest and surprised spectators by finishing 2-1. Taking the pitch in the first game, the Spartans dropped a 10-0 decision to Greenville Red (one of two Greenville teams).
Admittedly, the squad was a expectedly a bit hesitant and lacked aggression as the experienced Red Raiders took advantage of a few overloads and missed tackles to score two trys and win 10-0. In the second game (against Greenville White), Michael D'nofrio, one of just four seniors on the team, took advantage of a misplayed kick by a Red Raider, collected the ball and dashed 20 meters for the Spartans first-ever try.
After Greenville responded with a try of their own, Grant Mabry, a big lock for the Spartans, collected a mauled ball on the Red Raider 10-meter line and shoved in for the try. Greer, had won its first contest 14-7. In the day's final game, the Spartans faced Easley, the Upstate's other new team. The Spartans handled the team from beginning to end. D'nofrio, senior Torre Rossano and freshman Zach Roberts scored trys as the energized Greer team rolled.
Rossano, D'nofrio, Roberts and Mabry had outstanding debuts. Rosanno's hard-tackling and running lifted the team while D'nofrio keep opponents off-balance with his speed. Mabry dominated the breakdown point and Roberts' tactical kicking gave Greer outstanding field position.
Photos of the Greer v Greenville White
Donning blue and white jerseys with hooped white and blue socks, the squad -- composed mostly of underclassmen -- improved during each contest and surprised spectators by finishing 2-1. Taking the pitch in the first game, the Spartans dropped a 10-0 decision to Greenville Red (one of two Greenville teams).
Admittedly, the squad was a expectedly a bit hesitant and lacked aggression as the experienced Red Raiders took advantage of a few overloads and missed tackles to score two trys and win 10-0. In the second game (against Greenville White), Michael D'nofrio, one of just four seniors on the team, took advantage of a misplayed kick by a Red Raider, collected the ball and dashed 20 meters for the Spartans first-ever try.
After Greenville responded with a try of their own, Grant Mabry, a big lock for the Spartans, collected a mauled ball on the Red Raider 10-meter line and shoved in for the try. Greer, had won its first contest 14-7. In the day's final game, the Spartans faced Easley, the Upstate's other new team. The Spartans handled the team from beginning to end. D'nofrio, senior Torre Rossano and freshman Zach Roberts scored trys as the energized Greer team rolled.
Rossano, D'nofrio, Roberts and Mabry had outstanding debuts. Rosanno's hard-tackling and running lifted the team while D'nofrio keep opponents off-balance with his speed. Mabry dominated the breakdown point and Roberts' tactical kicking gave Greer outstanding field position.
Photos of the Greer v Greenville White
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Practice and other things
Thankfully, practices were moved to East Riverside Park. This park is located near Riverside High School and next to Riverside Baptist Church. We are using the field behind the softball fields. Practices are held, 5:15-6:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. We welcome new players! The club is actively recruiting.
Parents, I should have an email list ready by next week. The contact forms that I sent home with players are slowing trickling in. Players, I must have your USA Rugby Participation forms Thursday. We will play three short halves this Sunday at Furman (against Greenville White, Greenville Red and Easley). These games will be tightly controlled. We will have the uniforms there. Players should wear some sort of under garment so that they can slip their shorts over them. The jerseys are light-weight, so be sure wear a tight-fitting undershirt when playing and bring a jacket. You must have a mouthguard to play!
The full schedule, once it is available, will be posted here.
Furman will host a Southern Conference Round-Robin affair this Saturday with teams from Appalachian State, the College of Charleston, Furman and The Citadel participating. The game time will be posted, too, at the link above when they are available. It would be a good idea for parents and players to attend some of these games to see a live rugby contest.
Cambria Sports, a rugby supply company from Charleston, will have a tent set up at the field Saturday. You can pick up shorts, socks, boots, balls, etc. at this tent. If you need something specific, contact Rob Jones at cambriasports@gmail.com . He can bring it up. Also, view http://www.cambriasports.com/ to see his stock. Trainers from St. Francis will be there Sunday to help with the kids. If players need an ankle taped, please bring your own supplies. The medics can help if they have time.
We had very productive practice last night. Some 14 kids were there! We are growing a bit each week.
Parents, I should have an email list ready by next week. The contact forms that I sent home with players are slowing trickling in. Players, I must have your USA Rugby Participation forms Thursday. We will play three short halves this Sunday at Furman (against Greenville White, Greenville Red and Easley). These games will be tightly controlled. We will have the uniforms there. Players should wear some sort of under garment so that they can slip their shorts over them. The jerseys are light-weight, so be sure wear a tight-fitting undershirt when playing and bring a jacket. You must have a mouthguard to play!
The full schedule, once it is available, will be posted here.
Furman will host a Southern Conference Round-Robin affair this Saturday with teams from Appalachian State, the College of Charleston, Furman and The Citadel participating. The game time will be posted, too, at the link above when they are available. It would be a good idea for parents and players to attend some of these games to see a live rugby contest.
Cambria Sports, a rugby supply company from Charleston, will have a tent set up at the field Saturday. You can pick up shorts, socks, boots, balls, etc. at this tent. If you need something specific, contact Rob Jones at cambriasports@gmail.com . He can bring it up. Also, view http://www.cambriasports.com/ to see his stock. Trainers from St. Francis will be there Sunday to help with the kids. If players need an ankle taped, please bring your own supplies. The medics can help if they have time.
We had very productive practice last night. Some 14 kids were there! We are growing a bit each week.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Schedule and other things...
Assuming our club grows, we plan to play several games that "count" after the Feb 6 weekend.
Below is our matrix, afterwards.
Feb 12 vs Irmo at Chapin
Feb 20 vs Aiken at Location TBA
Feb 27 vs Irmo at Location TBA
March 6 vs Chapin at Location TBA
March 21 vs Easley at Furman
March 27 vs. Hanna at Furman
April 3 vs. Greenville at Furman
The State Championships will be held 4/10-11 at a location to be announced.
The South HS Championships will be hosted by Furman 4/24-25.
A few other items. I will have shorts for the forwards to wear to the clinic Saturday. Please wear some spandex pants or something warm. Then you can slip the shorts over your spandex. You will need the shorts for binding and lifting.
The rugby game between the high school was, unfortunately, cancelled by the travelling team. So we will beging the clinic at 1 and end around 3. We need to continue to recruit. No way we can play the above schedule without new players.
If you do not have boots, then you need to get some. If you have some to spare, bring them Saturday. DRESS WARM SATURDAY. WE WILL STANDING AROUND SOME AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO FREEZE.
Also, beginning next week, our practices will be held Tues and Thursday 5:15-6:45 at Lincoln Park. It is located at 169 Harnitha Lane in Taylors, near the former Foothills Vocational School off St. Marks Road.
Again, I will see you 12:15 at the Pavillion tomorrow. After a short talk with parents, we will be on our way.
Coach
Below is our matrix, afterwards.
Feb 12 vs Irmo at Chapin
Feb 20 vs Aiken at Location TBA
Feb 27 vs Irmo at Location TBA
March 6 vs Chapin at Location TBA
March 21 vs Easley at Furman
March 27 vs. Hanna at Furman
April 3 vs. Greenville at Furman
The State Championships will be held 4/10-11 at a location to be announced.
The South HS Championships will be hosted by Furman 4/24-25.
A few other items. I will have shorts for the forwards to wear to the clinic Saturday. Please wear some spandex pants or something warm. Then you can slip the shorts over your spandex. You will need the shorts for binding and lifting.
The rugby game between the high school was, unfortunately, cancelled by the travelling team. So we will beging the clinic at 1 and end around 3. We need to continue to recruit. No way we can play the above schedule without new players.
If you do not have boots, then you need to get some. If you have some to spare, bring them Saturday. DRESS WARM SATURDAY. WE WILL STANDING AROUND SOME AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO FREEZE.
Also, beginning next week, our practices will be held Tues and Thursday 5:15-6:45 at Lincoln Park. It is located at 169 Harnitha Lane in Taylors, near the former Foothills Vocational School off St. Marks Road.
Again, I will see you 12:15 at the Pavillion tomorrow. After a short talk with parents, we will be on our way.
Coach
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
For parents
Hi parents.
I would like to meet with you Saturday at 12:15 in the Pavillion Parking lot. Here is a link to a letter I sent home with your child. Our uniforms will be arriving next week. If your child needs extra shorts, socks or other rugby gear, please go to ballsout.com. They have pretty good prices. If you child is prone to head injuries, he should get some head gear.
All kids need cleats and a mouthguard. See you Saturday.
I would like to meet with you Saturday at 12:15 in the Pavillion Parking lot. Here is a link to a letter I sent home with your child. Our uniforms will be arriving next week. If your child needs extra shorts, socks or other rugby gear, please go to ballsout.com. They have pretty good prices. If you child is prone to head injuries, he should get some head gear.
All kids need cleats and a mouthguard. See you Saturday.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
practice this week...
Monday and Wednesday at the Pavillion. Be there at 4:15. We will run until the daylight subisides...around 5:45 or so.
We are still recruiting...bring a pal and your mouthguard.
We are still recruiting...bring a pal and your mouthguard.
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