Charlotte, NC. — Atlanta Old White defended the south title by defeating Chattanooga 20 to 10.
The match was hard fought on both ends but with Nooga and Old White with 19 and 17 hours rest, respectively, the match was full of errors and penalties. Both teams were definitely not at 100%
Old White was outstanding on defense in the first half shutting down Nooga including couple of close opportunities. Jamie kicked a penalty along with a first half try.
OW leading 10 to zero, the lead was extended with another penalty by Jamie. However in the middle of the 2nd half, Dan was sinned binned. Nooga made a come back effort by scoring 2 consecutive tries cutting the lead. With 6 minutes left, Adam added an insurance try all but sealing victory to old white.
Old White now has 13 days until the next match against the Northeast Champs, with the fitting name of the New Haven Old Black. This monochromatic match will be held in Pittsburgh.
HT 10-0
FT 20-10
Min Cho
President Atlanta Old White RFC
president@atlantarugby.com
Match Report:
Charlotte,NC — Atlanta Old White reached the USA Rugby sweet 16 level by defeating Charlotte RFC 35-32. It was by far one of the most exciting and roller coaster match that has been held in the South.
The weather was absolutely perfect and both teams were eager to get under way.
The opening 5 minutes started off with Old White dominating possession in the attacking end. But just like couple of weeks ago, Atlanta was not able to capitalize. Charlotte however did by being rewarded a penalty. In the ensuing lineout, Charlotte executed a perfect maul from 15 meters out and score the first points of the game. The match was going in similar fashion to the last time these two teams met. (Charlotte winning 48 to 6)
Undeterred, OW decided this match would follow a different path than the previous encounter by scoring one of the most spectacular tries you would see, amateur or professional. In the attacking zone around the 22, a ruck from phase play was formed. OW had 3 backs on the right, weak, side against 4 Charlotte defenders. Flyhalf Adam Vrahnos chipped over the defensive line toward the covering wing. At that point it was a jump ball between wings. Andy Britt won that ball touched it down to put OW on the board.
That score was followed up by an outstanding individual effort by scrumhalf Lea Kaufusi. Lea recovered a lose ball deep in the OW attacking zone weaving through a couple defenders for OW’s second try.
OW would tag on another try in the first half with Center Rico Rosa receiving a pass from Jamie Gasparella, who created the opportunity for the score.
Charlotte converted a penalty as time expired cutting the OW lead to 19 to 8.
The second half started off with OW with a penalty kick by Jamie extending the lead. However, Charlotte immediately answered with a try of their own cutting the lead down to 1 score.
OW answer this with a try by David Winiarczyk from a broken play. With Atlanta up 14 with 25 minutes to go.
Like all good teams, Charlotte came storming back. Scoring the next two tries. The lead for Old White was now 2 points with 9 minutes to go. The momentum had definitely shifted. Old White seemed gassed and Charlotte looked like the fresher team.
Atlanta converted a penalty with 7 minutes pushing the lead to 5. Charlotte would respond quickly with a try at the corner tying the match at 32 all. The conversion was no good from the difficult angle. 2 minutes was left. At this point it appeared Charlotte could create the chances to win the game.
With no time left, OW committed a penalty at midfield. At this point there was some confusion as the referee blew the final whistle. However the game cannot end with a penalty. So the match resumed as the final play. Instead of going for points, Charlotte decided to tap and go. They maintained possession around midfield for about 3 to 4 phases but the play of the game happened when Adam poached the ball giving possession to OW. After one phase, Charlotte was called for a side entry penalty. Atlanta made the immediate decision to go for the win. The mark was 45 meters from the post dead center. Long kick specialist Metro Dave line up for the kick. And without hesitation, nailed a perfect strike, splitting the uprights that would of been good from 55 meters. Making the Final score 35 to 32
Old White will play Chattanooga at noon for the USA Rugby Southern Region Championships and a ticket to the Elite 8.
Min Cho
President Atlanta Old White RFC
president@atlantarugby.com
Atlanta Old White will host a friendly match on Friday April 25th at 5PM at Old White’s home ground.
Come out on March 28 to support your USA Eagles! This is a great event and fund raiser held the night before the USA vs Uruguay World Cup qualifying match. It is chance to meet and host the USA coach, select players, chairman of USA rugby, IRB committee members and other invited guests. Sponsored by Sweetwater, the evening includes BBQ from award winning Blind Pig BBG out of Lake Jackson Ga. Click the image below or HERE to register.
USA Rugby Fundraiser
When: Friday, March 28 2014, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Where: American Legion – Buckhead, 3905 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
Why: Support your USA Rugby Eagles as they prepare for the Rugby World Cup
(KENNESAW, GA) 15-16 February 2014 – International Rugby returned to the Atlanta area during the USA leg of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series. While the region was still thawing from a rare ice storm, first class rugby was on full display with New Zealand pulling away as the champion over Canada. As one of several proud sponsors of the event, Atlanta Old White members past and present were out in force volunteering and serving as ambassadors for the club, city, and the sport of rugby.
Atlanta Old White RFC chairman Ryan Brenny and board member emeritus Tyler Dixon Sr. with members of the Dutch Sevens Ladies, Bowl Winners of the IRB Women’s Sevens World Series in Atlanta (Dutch 7s Ladies Facebook)
ABOUT:
The IRB Women’s Sevens World Series gives leading female rugby players across six continents the chance to experience elite level, high performance Sevens competition around the world.
The Series takes place in global destinations, UAE (Dubai), USA (Atlanta), Brazil, (Sao Paulo), China (Guangzhou) and Netherlands (Amsterdam), underlining the IRB’s commitment to the ongoing growth and development of women’s Rugby around the world and is another significant step in the journey to Rio 2016.
It follows on from a hugely successful first Series which saw staggering growth in the depth of the Women’s Sevens Game and provided a significant platform for growth in the areas of broadcast, live streaming and social media.
The system mirrors the men’s series, with each 12-team event featuring eight core teams who secured their places by reaching the Cup quarter-finals at Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013. They are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Russia, Spain and USA. Brazil have been invited to attend all of the 2013/14 events with the remaining three teams who have been invited based on regional tournament rankings.
Women’s Rugby is one of the fastest-growing team sports in the world and, in 2016, the finest female players in the world will take their place alongside their male counterparts in Rio de Janeiro when Rugby returns to the Olympic Games summer programme. The international series is a key milestone in the ongoing development of both the competitive standards and the professionalism of the Women’s Game.
The IRB Women’s Sevens World Series concept is in line with key strategic objectives set out in the IRB Women’s Rugby Plan, expanding the women’s Sevens international competition model, particularly at the elite level of the Game.
(LAS VEGAS, NV) 24-26 January 2014 – Several Old White members past and present made the trip to Las Vegas for the latest stop of the HSBC Sevens World Series.
Atlanta Old White Rugby chairman Ryan Brenny with Filimone Waqabaca, Chariman of the Fiji Rugby Union and Permanent Secretary of Finance, and Bob Latham, US Olympic Committee and IRB Executive Committee Member
HSBC Sevens World Series
The HSBC Sevens World Series is an annual elite-level competition series between nations whose top professional rugby players compete against each other throughout the year for the World Series Championship. National Teams compete for the HSBC Sevens World Series title by accumulating points based on their finishing position in each of the nine series tournaments.
The 2013-2014 HSBC Sevens World Series schedule has been announced and includes stops in Dubai, South Africa, New Zealand, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Australia, England and Scotland.
We will be hosting a work party at the home field this Saturday (Feb 1, 2014). Grab some equipment and join us at 10am. A short practice will follow.
Due to the recent weather, we will be cancelling practice tonight, Thursday January 30, 2014.
Training has begun for the 2014 spring season. Come out Tuesdays and Thursdays and join OWRFC to prepare for another great season. Suggested equipment: Mouth guard, water, cleats.