The Spartans finally managed to put together a complete game. The team dominated the breakdown, played good defense and spread the ball well.
The opponent, for sure, was an overmatched Greenville JV team. But our team executed our offensive rucking system well and tackled surely. We fairly dominated the scrum and lineouts until the second half when we stopped contesting those.
On a down note, we lost two of our better players due to injury. Peter Nelson, who can play any position in our backline, broke his thumb and is out for six weeks. Also, Zach Roberts, our leading scorer and flyhalf, sprained his knee and is likely out for at least one game. Both of these are coach’s sons, incidentally.
The team is 5-0 now and picking up new players. Our roster has grown to 30.
Our next game is against an undefeated Wando team.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Greer 29 Gilbert 7
Once again, Greer was victorious. But again, the team put together an underwhelming performance in defeating Gilbert 29-7 February 17 Feb. 17.
Gilbert, an undersized, inexperienced team, played scrappy rugby and managed to disrupt Spartan rucks. The tenacious Gilbert team and a very narrow field, conspired to keep the Spartans from generating much offense rhythm.
On a trys from Zach Roberts and a Pat Oglesby, the Spartans built a 12-7 halftime lead. The team played a bit better in the second half, but choppy play and strict officiating kept Greer from generating much momentum.
Gilbert, an undersized, inexperienced team, played scrappy rugby and managed to disrupt Spartan rucks. The tenacious Gilbert team and a very narrow field, conspired to keep the Spartans from generating much offense rhythm.
On a trys from Zach Roberts and a Pat Oglesby, the Spartans built a 12-7 halftime lead. The team played a bit better in the second half, but choppy play and strict officiating kept Greer from generating much momentum.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Greer 31 Easley 14
Once again, the Spartans were victorious. But the team was slow out of the gate and has yet to put together a complete game.
Greer bolted out to an early 5-0 lead against Easley on a try by Zach Roberts, but were thrawted, afterwards, by repeated penalties that kept the underdog Greenwave team camped deep in Spartan territority for much of the first half. Midway through the half, Easley scored to push ahead 7-5 after the successful conversion.
Late in the first half, the Greer team -- having settled in a bit to the official's calls -- managed to assert itself scoring a try to put the team up 10-7.
During the second half, the Spartans finally hit some stride, began moving the ball and the scores came. Nick Rossano, the team's captain who has been hobbled by an ankle injury, scored. Jacob Cook and Peter Nelson also added trys to help the Spartans advance to 31-7 lead. Easley added a late try in the final two minutes to cut the margin to 31-14.
A month ago, the future of the Easley team was in doubt. The club, however, has picked up new players and improved week to week and are now 1-2, a testament to the good coaching of Tom Liddle. Well done, Tommy.
Looking ahead, the Spartans travel to Columbia Friday to take on Gilbert. The goals for the team: control possession, spread the ball, reduce the penalities and put ogether a complete game.
Greer bolted out to an early 5-0 lead against Easley on a try by Zach Roberts, but were thrawted, afterwards, by repeated penalties that kept the underdog Greenwave team camped deep in Spartan territority for much of the first half. Midway through the half, Easley scored to push ahead 7-5 after the successful conversion.
Late in the first half, the Greer team -- having settled in a bit to the official's calls -- managed to assert itself scoring a try to put the team up 10-7.
During the second half, the Spartans finally hit some stride, began moving the ball and the scores came. Nick Rossano, the team's captain who has been hobbled by an ankle injury, scored. Jacob Cook and Peter Nelson also added trys to help the Spartans advance to 31-7 lead. Easley added a late try in the final two minutes to cut the margin to 31-14.
A month ago, the future of the Easley team was in doubt. The club, however, has picked up new players and improved week to week and are now 1-2, a testament to the good coaching of Tom Liddle. Well done, Tommy.
Looking ahead, the Spartans travel to Columbia Friday to take on Gilbert. The goals for the team: control possession, spread the ball, reduce the penalities and put ogether a complete game.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Spartans 10 Lexington 5
The Spartans entered the Feb. 3 contest against conference foe Lexington with cautious optimism.
But an athletic Lexington team gave Greer all they could handle.
Played on an artificial, regulation-sized field, the Lexington team took advantage of some poor tackling in the centers to take a 5-0 lead at the five-minute mark. The Spartans responded minutes later when Ben Lumpkin touched down a misplayed kick in the try zone.
A few minutes later scrumhalf Adam Scott slipped into the try zone to stake the Spartans to a 10-5 lead.
Poor tackling, decision-making and very athletic Lexington team combined to keep the Spartan team from mounting an offensive attach in the first half.
Repeatedly, the team was blown for careless, unthinking penalties and played scatter-brained, undisciplined rugby.
It was ugly win that felt more like a defeat.
But an athletic Lexington team gave Greer all they could handle.
Played on an artificial, regulation-sized field, the Lexington team took advantage of some poor tackling in the centers to take a 5-0 lead at the five-minute mark. The Spartans responded minutes later when Ben Lumpkin touched down a misplayed kick in the try zone.
A few minutes later scrumhalf Adam Scott slipped into the try zone to stake the Spartans to a 10-5 lead.
Poor tackling, decision-making and very athletic Lexington team combined to keep the Spartan team from mounting an offensive attach in the first half.
Repeatedly, the team was blown for careless, unthinking penalties and played scatter-brained, undisciplined rugby.
It was ugly win that felt more like a defeat.
Spartans 23 Chapin 12
Fresh from a trio of pre-season jamboree wins, the Greer Spartans defeated the Chapin Developmental side 23-12 to open the 2012 season.
Played on a muddy field in pouring rain, the Spartans found some rhythm and fairly controlled the breakdown point for much of the first 15-20 minutes. But Greer found the try zone only twice thanks to a well-coached and disciplined Chapin defense.
Spartan winger Dominique Turner scored a try zone at the 10-minute mark to stake the Spartans to a 5-0 lead. Zach Roberts increased the lead to 10-0 slipping through a gap in the Eagle defense to dash 50 meters for score at the 20-minute mark.
The Spartan train was rolling, but then the wheels rolled off.
Captain Nick Rossanno left the game with a high ankle sprain. With several Spartans not making the trip due to injuries and other considerations, the team had to shuffle players to unfamiliar positions. Then hooker Brad Ernest was sin-binned for 15 minutes.
With the Spartans trying to sort out their roles – and with no subs on the sidelines – the Eagles scored two quick trys in the span of seven minutes to take a 12-10 lead at the break.
The Spartans, though, regrouped at halftime and implemented a new game plan. Roberts, who played center for much of the first half, moved to flyhalf in key situations. His tactical kicking and horrendous field conditions put pressure on the young Eagle fullback, who misplayed several balls.
At the seven-minute mark Peter Nelson touched down a kicked ball in the try zone to help the Spartans reclaim the lead 15-12. Five minutes later, Nelson connected on a penalty kick to extend the lead to 18-12. Benjamin Lumpkin, a full back, bulled into the try zone late in the game to seal the win 23-12.
With prop Elijah Byrd injured later, the Spartans played with final seven minutes a man-down.
To be sure, the Chapin team was resilient, but the Spartan defense and sloppy field combined to prevent the squad from mounting a consistent offensive attack.
Played on a muddy field in pouring rain, the Spartans found some rhythm and fairly controlled the breakdown point for much of the first 15-20 minutes. But Greer found the try zone only twice thanks to a well-coached and disciplined Chapin defense.
Spartan winger Dominique Turner scored a try zone at the 10-minute mark to stake the Spartans to a 5-0 lead. Zach Roberts increased the lead to 10-0 slipping through a gap in the Eagle defense to dash 50 meters for score at the 20-minute mark.
The Spartan train was rolling, but then the wheels rolled off.
Captain Nick Rossanno left the game with a high ankle sprain. With several Spartans not making the trip due to injuries and other considerations, the team had to shuffle players to unfamiliar positions. Then hooker Brad Ernest was sin-binned for 15 minutes.
With the Spartans trying to sort out their roles – and with no subs on the sidelines – the Eagles scored two quick trys in the span of seven minutes to take a 12-10 lead at the break.
The Spartans, though, regrouped at halftime and implemented a new game plan. Roberts, who played center for much of the first half, moved to flyhalf in key situations. His tactical kicking and horrendous field conditions put pressure on the young Eagle fullback, who misplayed several balls.
At the seven-minute mark Peter Nelson touched down a kicked ball in the try zone to help the Spartans reclaim the lead 15-12. Five minutes later, Nelson connected on a penalty kick to extend the lead to 18-12. Benjamin Lumpkin, a full back, bulled into the try zone late in the game to seal the win 23-12.
With prop Elijah Byrd injured later, the Spartans played with final seven minutes a man-down.
To be sure, the Chapin team was resilient, but the Spartan defense and sloppy field combined to prevent the squad from mounting a consistent offensive attack.
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