Marietta, GA
Saturday May 4, 2013
The USA South men’s selects edged closer to claiming a N.A.C.R.A (North American Caribbean Rugby Association) title after a beating the Cayman Islands 9-7 in a rain sogged encounter at Life University last Saturday. The win propels them into what can be a title winning game against Bermuda away on May 18th for the NACRA north crown. The game played in torrential rain and inches of surface water created havoc for both teams, but did not detract from the quality of the game.
Again it was the defensive effort of the South, and now a trademark of their play in the opening stanza that won the game for the home team. The south spent 30 of the first 40 minutes behind their own 40 metre line, continually under pressure from judicious Cayman kicking and a dynamic scrum that had the south pack scrambling all day in this set piece.
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The Caymans can consider themselves lucky after their try was scored as the south defense had allegedly grounded the ball in a pond of water before they dived on it. The Caymans try was a result of 30 minutes of sustained pressure from the visitors. One cannot deny that this incredible, gritty defensive display won the game for the south, of whom had no right under that pressure to concede just one try. South responded on the bell of half time to kick a much needed penalty goal by custodian Chance Doyle to trail 3-7.
The second stanza began with south still under pressure from the impressive kicking game of Caymans, and a real tussle for possession in the sloppy conditions. The south game plan of close rucking and risk free ball control started to pay off after the tactic was well defended by the Cayman in the opening half. A further penalty goal by Chance Doyle inched the South to one point of Cayman to trail 6-7. This kick inspired the south and a much higher degree of determination was employed as the fresh legs of the subs rolled in.
With 15 minutes on the clock the Cayman intensity was noticeably dropping off and the south had finaly won some consistent possession, and were able to achieve some much needed field position. Again the South were denied when winger Ty Elkins surged down the side line after a nice passage of forward play to have a tried disallowed in a dam of water this time.
South’s relentless pressure at this stage gave rise to a tough penalty attempt by Flyhalf Lucas Baistrocchi, which guided it over to give the Panthers the lead for the first time in the match 9-7.
The last ten minutes had some nervous moments but the home team’s tactic of no - nonsense tight, controlled play at the ruck paid off and denied Cayman of possession when they needed it most. This can be evidenced by the last 4 minutes of play which entailed a 15 phase, 45 yard midfield drive, with some incredible close quarter, and wet weather offloading, that displayed incredible control/poise to seal our victory.
The match statistics revealed just how tight the game really was, with the penalties at 10-10, lineouts 11-11. Even though we lost 6 tight-heads on the day the ruck count favored South 30 -11.
USA South captain Derek Wolfe was absolutely outstanding today, and turned in one of the best captaincy performances I have seen for a long time. The determination of this team to succeed, and believe in each other has been a fantastic evolvement this N.A.C.R.A season.
We are so proud of our Southern territory and the commitment we get from all concerned, the Holy Grail is now in our sites.
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