U.S.A. South Panthers Beat Defeat Mexico 51-23

Courtesy of the U.S.A. South Twitter feed.

The U.S.A. South Panthers defeated Mexico 51-23 yesterday in front of a good crowd at Life University to advance to the next round of the NACRA Championships where they will take on Jamaica. The match began with Mexico getting the first opportunity for points after the Panthers were pinged of offside. However, Mexico missed the kick to keep things level. After a big more back and forth it was the South that got on the board first courtesy of University of Florida fly-half Lucas Biaistrocchi. He converted his own try to give the South a 7-0 lead.

It was a sloppy game for most of the match and after another U.S. infringement Mexican center Henning made the kick to get on the board. Mexico almost had another opportunity several minutes later when they looked to have a try. However, the referee ruled that the Panthers held up the play giving Mexico a 5 meter scrum. After the ensuing scrum No. 8 Calderson crossed for the try while Henning made the kick to give Mexico a 10-7 lead. Only minutes later Life wing Clint Whitler put the Panthers back on top with a try.  Mexico hit a penalty right before half to narrow the lead to 14-13.

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Courtesy of the U.S.A. South Twitter feed.

In the second half the Panthers began to pull away. Captain Derek Wolfe, from Nashville, scored as did Cathal Doyle a few minutes later to give the South a 26-13 lead. The Panthers almost had another try only a little while later but a try-saving tackle from Mexico prevented the try. The South continued to add to their total when Kirk Swanner from Tallahassee scored. With the conversion the South led 33-13. Another try, this time from Ben Winiarczyk and subsequent conversion put the scored a 38-13. The U.S. and Mexico then traded scores until the end of the match. Final: U.S.A. South 51-23 Mexico.

The Panthers will now travel to Jamaica for the next round of competition. If they win that match, they will play the Bahamas.

U.S.A. South

Starters: Lucas, Ohmann, Wade, Ziyad, Hickey, Doyle, Wolfe, Swanner, Price, Biaistrocchi, Whitler, Reuther, Khan Winiarczyk, McMasterson

Reserves: Moore, Nuleols, Bess, Bou-Mickael, Davila, Simkins, Meehan

Mexico

Starters: Flegmann, Loredo, Douek, Taddei, Martinez, Herrejon, Rosete, Calderson, Rodriguez, Susarrey, Chavez, Pagano, Henning, Galindo, Naddod

Reserves: Prieto, Hernandez, Rico, Clarke, Bremer, Curgos, Reyes