Savannah travelled to Athens on a cold, blustery Saturday afternoon to take on the #2 ranked Athens Eagles and carried with them only 19 players. Athens appeared to have a full compliment of men on hand due to a B-side game that was cancelled allowing the game to be played in a front a ravenous home crowd for the Eagles. Right from the opening kickoff, Savannah found themselves in a fight unlike any they have had so far this season. Savannah was unable to secure the kickoff and resulting penalty allowed the Eagles to kick for a touch down to the 5m line of the Rocks. A well executed line out and maul resulted in Athens striking first in the 2nd minute of the game, conversion unsuccessful. Savannah 0 – Athens 5. While standing under the post awaiting the conversion kick, Savannah was reminded that it was the first time any opponent had crossed their try line in 4 games. This invigorated the men and they came back out with purpose. After securing several phases of play with strong rucking and even stronger forward crashes, the Shamrocks were rewarded in the 6th minute when hooker, CJ Regnet found the try line, conversion unsuccessful. Savannah 5 – Athens 5. The opening flurry continued when Athens’ speedy wing found daylight around the corner, cut back in field, and completed the 50m run for a try under the post in the 12th minute, conversion successful. Savannah 5 – Athens 12. Savannah facing their largest deficit of the entire season was able to settle into their game plan and were able to maintain possession for the next 10 minutes but were unable to break the Eagles’ defensive line until they were finally rewarded with a penalty directly in front of the goal posts, penalty made by fullback, Elijah Fluker. Savannah 8 – Athens 15. In the 24th minute the Shamrocks were able to take their first lead of the game when inside center, Chad Cooley, was able to break several tackles and score under the post, conversion by Fluker. Savannah 15 – Athens 12. The rest of the half would be a back and forth match played near midfield with both teams struggling to gain ground in the kicking game due to strong winds.
Halftime Score: Savannah 15 – Athens 12
The second half would start off strong for Savannah when an Athens handling error led to a ball that was scooped up by Cooley who raced down the field to score in the corner, conversion unsuccessful. Savannah 20 – Athens 12. Savannah appeared to be gaining the upper hand and was taking advantage of their momentum when a poor decision by their fly half lead to a long cut out pass being intercepted by Athens and run back 70 meters for a try under the post in the 54th minute. Strangely for the home team, their kicker was unable to collect a kicking tee and the ball within time to even attempt their conversion. Savannah 20 – Athens 17. Rather than hang their heads in disgust, the Rocks answered quickly by controlling the rucks and gaining ground through several hard forward runs. Scrum half, Gavin Rourke, who had been working his slow motion pick and run plays from the back of rucks, finally drew fringe defenders with him and he was able to pass the ball back inside to lock, Peter “The Good Looking One” Beamer, who plowed over the try line for his first try with the club, conversion unsuccessful. Savannah 25 – Athens 17. Strong defense, which has been the calling card of the Shamrocks all season, would stifle the Eagles’ attack for the remaining 20 minutes of the contest. As time was running out on Athens to mount a comeback, it was also becoming clear to them that they might miss the opportunity to secure any bonus point in the loss. Savannah was able to stop Athens’ final attacking opportunity by earning a penalty and with 3 minutes remaining in the game the kick for touch and ensuing line out was mauled effectively and driven over for a try in the corner with flanker, Will Garnett, touching down for the score, conversion unsuccessful. Savannah 30 – Athens 17. The remaining 2 minutes of the match was played deep into Eagles’ territory and a handling error allowed for Savannah to secure the final scrum of the game and clear the ball into touch as the final whistle sounded. Savannah had gone on the road and defeated the #2 team in the GRU and gone a long way towards securing home field advantage through the GRU playoffs.
Final Score: Savannah 30 – Athens 17
Man of the Match: Teri Ransome
Scores from around the GRU: Hilton Head 40 – Gwinnett 0 (Forfeit); Macon 94 – GRITS 29; NARC 10 – Augusta 7; High Country 20 – Old White 17
