Atlanta Wins at Southern Pines
by: Jonny Rea
Old White travelled to the Tar Heel State for the last time of the season on Saturday and came home with a 29-13 victory. It was a beautiful day in Southern Pines, North Carolina, but conditions did present a challenge for high-flying dynamic rugby. Still fighting through some injuries, Atlanta travelled without a full complement of substitutes but were able to lean on the skills of the excellent players that were healthy enough to make the trip.
Thanks to heavy rain earlier in the week that slowed the pitch down a bit while gusty winds on the day hampered high kicks and long passes, the match started as a slippery defensive battle while both teams settled into the conditions. Good attack from the home team put the visitors under pressure early, and they were able to take a six-point lead within the first 10 minutes of the match thanks to two penalty kicks from scrumhalf Matt Ryan.
Atlanta cleaned up some of their mistakes and began applying pressure themselves. The remainder of the first half featured a bit more back-and-forth. However, it would be nearly half an hour into the match before they managed to get on the board with try by center Austin Fernandez, converted by flyhalf and SoPi convert Zach Miller. Southern Pines answered well with strong defense and dotted the ball down for a converted try in the 34th minute. As the whistle blew for half time, SoPi held a close 13-7 lead.
Head Coach and utility forward Phil Thiel calmed the waters and righted the ship during the break and the second half was all in Old White’s favor. 22 unanswered points finished the match with a victory for the visitors by a score of 29-13.
Tries were scored by Austin Fernandez, Zach Miller, and return player Bryan Williams (2). Zach Miller was 3-for-4 on conversions and slotted his lone penalty in the second half.
Roster for the game was as follows:
Jose Barrera
Mitch Shea
Zachary Jessell
Daryl “Tex” Leeson
Phil Thiel (c)
Derek Grant
Bejohn Baker
Jon Garbin
Jarrett Gartin (vc)
Zach Miller
Kennedy Edgerton
Austin Fernandez
George Phelan
Bryan Williams
Drew Moyes
Thomas Lawson
Isaac Owens
Jeremy “Sumo” Swick
UP NEXT: Old White’s Division 2 side (5-1) plays rival Atlanta Renegades this Saturday as a curtain raiser for Rugby ATL’s home match against the New England Freejacks at Silverbacks Park.
