The Savannah Shamrocks went on the road and faced the Augusta Maddogs, their opponent in the 2016 GRU Championship game. Augusta was looking to bounce back from a tough week one loss and the Shamrocks were taking the field for the first time in 2017 with a little bit of uncertainty having to replace a few key starters from last season. Heavy rain all day made for soggy conditions and neutralized the speed on both teams. However, Savannah was able to capitalize on early possession when inside center chased down a kicked through ball into the try zone for the first score of the game in the 4th minute, conversion missed. Savannah 5 – Augusta 0. Following the restart, Savannah once again was able to pressure Augusta with continued possession inside of their 22m line. With a penalty advantage on, flaker Gavin Rourke, scooped up the ball and darted under the posts for the try, conversion by Matt Midgett. Savannah 12 – Augusta 0. Augusta was able to pick up a loose ball at mid-field following the restart and put together their first sustained drive of the match. Their bigger forward pack gave the Rocks some trouble by continuing to pick and go from the back of rucks. After 6 tough fought phases of defense, Savannah was able to clear the ball to safety. Several penalties later, Savannah found themselves with a line out from 10m out of Augusta’s try line. An excellent line-out and maul resulted in prop, Nathan Driggers, diving across the line for the score in the corner, conversion missed. Savannah 17 – Augusta 0. It was about that time that the skies opened up and lightning caused a 45 minute delay in the match. When play resumed the Shamrocks’ forwards continued their onslaught. Several strong forward crash runs resulted in lock, Teri Ransome, crossing the try line in the 29th minute, conversion missed. Savannah 22 – Augusta 0. In the 34th minute, prop CJ Regnet also crossed the try line finishing off strong forward phase play, conversion by Midgett. Savannah 29 – Augusta 0. Savannah’s backs got into the action again in the waning moments of the first half with Geckas again powered over the line for a try under the posts, conversion by Midgett. Savannah 36 – Augusta 0.
Half Time Score: Savannah 36 – Augusta 0
The second half started off with both teams looking to kick for territorial advantage; however, Savannah’s fullback, Dontae Lawrence, scooped up a kick at mid field and made several Maddog defenders miss as he zig zagged his way into the try zone in the 42nd minute, conversion by Midgett. Savannah 43 – Augusta 0. For several minutes after this the game was played near mid field with both teams forward and backs finding the sloppy conditions making it tough to maintain possession. During the 59th minute the “Try Vulture,” Rourke was able to pick and go from the back of a scrum and dart in for a 15m run into the try zone, conversion by Midgett. Savannah 50 – Augusta 0. Savannah was able to get some strong defense and much needed energy boost from bench players during the waning minutes of match and were able to keep Augusta from threatening while continuing to chew up clock with phase play and touch finding kicks. In the 79th minute, winger Marcus Huie, executed a well-timed move from a line out to blast through Augusta’s line for the first try of his career and last try of the match, conversion by Midgett. Savannah 57 – Augusta 0.
It was a great start to the 2017 season for the Savannah Shamrocks. Up next is a road match in Atlanta against GRU Division 3 newcomer, Atlanta Bucks.
Final Score: Savannah 57 – Augusta 0
Forward of the Match: Zach Cooney
Back of the Match: Garland “Gatty” Summers
