Savannah traveled to Augusta for their Week 2 matchup with the Augusta Maddogs. Both teams came into the match with a 1-0 record and were looking to take an early lead in the matrix with a follow up win. Augusta featured a strong side at home with a full compliment of reserves on their bench while Savannah struggled as only 18 men were able to make the journey to Augusta. The game kicked off at 3:00pm and right from the opening whistle it was clear that the Maddogs had come to play. Early in the match Augusta pushed the ball deep into Shamrocks territory and after several phases of play the Rocks conceded a penalty directly in front of the posts. The Maddogs fullback was able to easily slot the penalty for an early lead. (Savannah 0 – Augusta 3). Savannah bounced back quickly and earned a penalty attempt of their own in the 14th minute which was missed. The ensuring 22m drop out allowed for Savannah to immediately resume their earlier pressure on the Maddogs and ultimately a penalty from 5m out resulted in scrumhalf, Gavin Rourke, taking a quick tap and touching down for the 5 pointer, conversion by Matthew Midgett. (Savannah 7 – Augusta 3). Savannah was able to continue dominating possession and earned several penalties against Augusta at the break down which resulted in not one, but two yellow cards against the Maddogs. Savannah capitalized immediately on the two man advantage when the back line was able to move the ball through the hands for winger, Tim Grande, to score in the corner in the 23rd minute, conversion by Midgett. (Savannah 14 – Augusta 3). The restart was gathered by the Rocks and immediately run up the field through several phases of play. In the 25th minute the Savannah backs were able to strike again, this time through inside center, Chad Cooley, who broke two tackles and crossed the line for the try, conversion missed. (Savannah 19 – Augusta 3). With the two man advantage still on the Savannah back line was able to once again move the ball swiftly through their hands and out to the wing for Grande to score again in the corner in the 28th minute, conversion missed. (Savannah 24 – Augusta 3). Augusta returned to full strength and took control of the remaining 10 minutes of the first half. After a prolonged goal line stand the Shamrocks’ lock, Peter Beamer, was sent to the bin for infringements at the ruck. The Maddogs decided to pass on the penalty kick and elected to go for the try. The Rocks’ forwards were up to the task and were able to keep Augusta from scoring at the end of the half.
Halftime Score: Savannah 24 – Augusta 3
The second half resumed and Savannah came out with the intention of putting the game away. The forwards secured several rucks and when the ball was spun out to the backs Chad Cooley was able to cut back and break a few tackles to score his second try of the game, conversion missed. (Savannah 29 – Augusta 3). The next 10 minutes the game was played near midfield with both teams struggling to maintain quality possession. Some key substitutions sparked the Maddogs and a nice back line move on their part sprung their speedy winger down the touch line. The Shamrock’s starting fullback, Elijah Fluker, sprinted from across field to meet the Maddogs winger at the try line with a monstrous explosion; however, Fluker was adjudged to have failed to make an attempt to wrap resulting in a penalty try for Augusta and a yellow card for Fluker, conversion successful. (Savannah 29 – Augusta 10). Savannah weathered the storm while down a key back and made a conscious effort to secure possession through strong forward play. Big runs from prop, Terasius Ransome, flanker, Ben Kochli, and hooker, CJ Regnet, helped spark Savannah into closing out the second half. As the Shamrocks came back to full strength they resumed their aggressive game plan. In the 62nd minute Savannah took a line out and maul from 15m out and were rewarded when it rolled right and Rourke was able to score his second try of the match, conversion missed. (Savannah 34 – Augusta 10). The try encouraged the Shamrocks’ forward pack to step up their work rate and after dominating runs and rucks were again awarded a penalty from 10m out in Augusta territory. Rourke took a quick tap that was spun out to prop, Scott Lucas, who made a dangerous offload that paid off as the streaking wing, Grande, secured the pass and the try in the corner to complete his hat trick on the day, conversion missed. (Savannah 39 – Augusta 10). With 10 minutes remaining in the game and no reserves left on the bench Savannah turned to a very conservative game plan of pinning the opponents deep in their own territory with repeated kicks. The tactic paid off as Augusta was never able make use of poor territory. As the final whistle signaled full time in the match the Shamrocks were excited to know that they had taken a well earned victory despite traveling with only 18 members. Savannah secured a bonus point victory and were able to move to the top of their matrix table.
Final Score: Savannah 39 – Augusta 10
Forward of the Match: Teri Ransome
Back of the Match: Chad Cooley
Results from around the league:
High Country 40 – Hilton Head 15; N.A.R.C. 36 – G.R.I.T.S. 22; Macon 31 – Gwinnett 12; Old White 34 – Athens 27
