The Savannah Shamrocks slung some Irish grit and won their first game 18-12 at the St. Patrick's Day Rugby tournament against the University of North Florida Ospreys.
The Shamrocks held a steady lead for most of the game, but they let it diminish against the younger and faster Ospreys.
“During the first half, we surely could have played better as we had trouble adjusting to our game plan,” Shamrocks coach Hansie Dirksen said. “In the second half though, we utilized our forwards and focused on tackling to contain our opponent.”
In the first half, the Shamrocks led 8-0, but as the game wore on, the stalking Ospreys quickly diminished the lead and came within one.
“We started off a little slow in the beginning, and they were able to stage a come back,” Shamrock captain Robert Evans, who coaches football and teaches at Bradwell Institute, said. “At the end of the game though, we read their play, intercepted the ball and sealed the game with our final score."
For this particular tournament, teams came from several different states to play against one another. The leagues differ from Premiere, Division I, II and III, women's and college.
“We are a division III team, but you do not have to stay within your division in this tournament,” Evans said. “If you want to try and step it up, you can play any team you like and we wanted a go at the college level.”
The latter half of the tournament resumes today at Daffin Park in Savannah where the rugby onslaught will close as only the winners will be left standing.
The Shamrocks held a steady lead for most of the game, but they let it diminish against the younger and faster Ospreys.
“During the first half, we surely could have played better as we had trouble adjusting to our game plan,” Shamrocks coach Hansie Dirksen said. “In the second half though, we utilized our forwards and focused on tackling to contain our opponent.”
In the first half, the Shamrocks led 8-0, but as the game wore on, the stalking Ospreys quickly diminished the lead and came within one.
“We started off a little slow in the beginning, and they were able to stage a come back,” Shamrock captain Robert Evans, who coaches football and teaches at Bradwell Institute, said. “At the end of the game though, we read their play, intercepted the ball and sealed the game with our final score."
For this particular tournament, teams came from several different states to play against one another. The leagues differ from Premiere, Division I, II and III, women's and college.
“We are a division III team, but you do not have to stay within your division in this tournament,” Evans said. “If you want to try and step it up, you can play any team you like and we wanted a go at the college level.”
The latter half of the tournament resumes today at Daffin Park in Savannah where the rugby onslaught will close as only the winners will be left standing.