The Savannah Shamrocks (10-0) hosted the Athens Eagles (7-3) in the Georgia Rugby Union (GRU) Championship this past Saturday in Daffin Park. The game was a rematch of the 2014 GRU Championship game which was won by Savannah 29-28. Club supporters from both sides packed the park and were treated to a spectacular rugby match.
Early in the game both teams tried to impose their will with strong running and fierce rucking. Nerves on both sides led to some early handling errors but eventually Savannah would open the scoring in 6th minute when fullback, Elijah Fluker, was able to finish a back line move with a try in the corner, conversion unsuccessful. (Savannah 5 – Athens 0). Savannah was able to earn a few penalties against the Eagles after the restart and went to work from a line out near the 22m line. A perfectly executed maul rolled its way all the way to the try line and when the dust settled a try was scored in the corner in the 11th minute, conversion unsuccessful. (Savannah 10 – Athens 0). Savannah seized momentum and were able to play in the Eagles’ territory for the next 10 minutes keeping the pressure on Athens. After several phases of play Savannah’s inside center, Chad Cooley, was able to break through the defense for a try, conversion by Fluker. (Savannah 17 – Athens 0). Athens would bounce back in the closing minutes of the half with a powerful run from 10m out to score under the posts, conversion blocked. (Savannah 17 – Athens 5).
Halftime Score: Savannah 17 – Athens 5
The second half would serve as a wake up call to the Shamrocks as Athens came out and would steal momentum away. In the 42nd minute, Athens would score from a penalty crash near the post, conversion successful. (Savannah 17 – Athens 12). Five minutes later Athens would strike again as the countered a Savannah kick and were able to weave through the defense for a try under the posts, conversion successful (Savannah 17 – Athens 19). Savannah found themselves trailing this late in a match for the first time all year and looked to have run out of energy. Savannah relied heavily on their forward pack to control possession and to settle back into their game plan. The Shamrocks were able to push the Eagles back to their own try line and were eventually rewarded when lock, Peter New, was able to dive over for the score to regain the lead, conversion unsuccessful. (Savannah 22 – Athens 19). The Shamrocks would continue to apply pressure on the Eagles’ defense but strong tackling would hold up three would be tries over the next 12 minutes of action. Ultimately, the continued pressure would be too much as flanker, CJ Regnet, was able to bowl his way over the try line, conversion by Fluker. (Savannah 29 – Athens 19). Athens refused to give up and would score again in the corner in the 77th minute, drawing within one score, conversion unsuccessful. (Savannah 29 – Athens 24). The last three minutes would be a frantic struggle by Savannah to keep Athens from getting g near their try line. In the end, a knock on would seal Athens’ fate. When the final whistle sounded, the Shamrocks were crowned the 2015 GRU Champions, their second consecutive title and second consecutive undefeated GRU season.
Final Score: Savannah 29 – Athens 24
