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
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