The Savannah Shamrocks opened their Georgia Rugby Union (GRU) and South title defense with a tough game against Atlanta Old White B on the road. Savannah traveled with 26 club members to the west side of Atlanta for the show down with Old White, the 4th place finisher from the GRU last season, and the four hour drive took their toll on players and their fans. Both clubs were playing their first game of the GRU season but it didn’t take long for Savannah shake off the rust when fullback, Elijah Fluker, was able to finish off a backline move in the corner with a try in the 3rd minute, conversion missed. (Savannah 5 – Old White 0). Old White took momentum for the next 5 minutes with sustained pressure deep in Shamrock territory when a well timed tackle caused an Old White knock on at the goal line. In the 10th minute Fluker was able to charge down a kick, scoop up the ball, and sprint down the field for a long try under the post, conversion Matt Midgett. (Savannah 12 – Old White 0). The game would turn into a battle of forwards for the next 12 minutes as both teams were able to keep possession for long. Numerous scrums and mid-field penalties resulted in Old White eventually taking advantage of decent field position and slotting a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. (Savannah 12 – Old White 3). The Shamrocks would answer with renewed strength in the rucks, securing possession for the backline to attack again with Fluker scoring his third try after a well executed backline move in the 29th minute, conversion by Midgett. (Savannah 19 – Old White 3). The half would come to a close with a fourth try by Fluker on a counter move that sprung him free for the corner, conversion missed. (Savannah 24 – Old White 3).
Halftime Score: Savannah 24 – Old White 3
The second half saw Savannah relax into their game plan and put on a flurry of tries which put the game almost immediately out of reach of Old White. In the 43rd minute, Fluker again charged down a kick, recovered the ball and scored in the corner, conversion missed. (Savannah 29 – Old White 3). In the 45th minute, Fluker would score his sixth try of the game by breaking a few tackles and weaving his way through the defense for the score, conversion missed (Savannah 34 – Old White 3). Shamrock forwards would be reenergized by several key substitutions that lead to increased aggression at the tackles and breakdowns which resulted in winger, Charles Campbell, taking advantage of a poorly timed pass for the intercept and try in the 50th minute, conversion missed. (Savannah 39 – Old White 3). In the 54th minute, inside center, Chad Cooley, would spin his way out of two would-be tacklers and touch down for a try, conversion missed. (Savannah 44 – Old White 3). Newly converted flank, Eric Geckas, broke away from the back of a ruck for a 50m run which he offloaded to wing-now-scrumhalf, Campbell for a try in the 62nd minute, conversion missed. (Savannah 49 – Old White 3). With the forwards dominating possession for the Rocks the backline continued to go to work with Cooley scoring two consecutive tries in the 67th and 73rd minutes, conversions missed. (Savannah 59 – Old White 3). Savannah would end the half with a final backline move that saw outside center, Brendan Recchia, float a pass over the defense’s heads into Fluker’s hands for a seventh and final try of the game, conversion missed. (Savannah 64 – Old White 3).
Final Score
Savannah 64 – Old White 3
Men of the Match: Elijah Fluker (backs); Peter New (forwards)
Savannah now prepares for their home opener against August Maddogs who are 1-0 after their Week 1 win over Macon.
