Carolina Men's Rugby vs. Furman University

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(UR - D1) University of South Carolina 'A' vs. Furman University
(UR - D1) University of South Carolina 'B' vs. Asheville Men's Rugby
Saturday, October 17th, 2008
Columbia, SC - 1:00 PM
Blatt P.E. Center Field

Match Summary
Statistics

Match Summary: Columbia, SC – Despite a rash of injuries, and playing without 2-time SEC All-Star Brad Kieber, USC men's rugby improved to 4-1 this fall with a 47-22 victory over 2008 D3 National Runner-Up Furman University. The second side ('B') fell to Asheville men's rugby, 12-5, but turned in an impressive effort itself. After an early penalty goal by Furman, the first half was all Carolina. Graduate student Josh Skaggs punched in a quick try, followed shortly thereafter by Max Vernerey putting in a try of his own. Freshman fullback Cullen Clair was able to convert both, and USC took a 14-3 lead just 12 minutes into the match. Playing with relentless pressure, Carolina kept the Paladins trapped inside their own 22, flawed only by an inability to punch in another fast score. The Gamecock forwards were particularly impressive, limiting much of Furman's offense to tactical kicking and capitalization of USC mistakes. At the 33:00 mark, senior wing Asher Hannah ran in his third try of the fall campaign, only to be followed two minutes later with a try by senior Chris Stevens, who was playing out of position at outside center in senior Brad Kieber's absence. Furman then attempted to pressure USC late in the half, much to no avail. They were successful, however, in drawing freshman fly-half Max Vernerey into a brawl, resulting in a sin bin that disrupted the USC backline for the early portion of the second half. Starting the second 40 with this advantage, the Paladins were quick to strike, putting in an impressive try that drew the score to 26-10, and offered the glimmering chance of a comeback. Junior Max Minnillo wasn't keen to the plan, however, and put in a try at the 66th minute that virtually sealed the game. To Furman's credit, they never stopped believing the could come back. They snuck in a try moments later, only to have the USC forwards again flex their strength. In a scrum set 5 meters from goal, the Gamecock pack drove the Paladins back into their own try zone, setting up senior 8-man Jason Jacobs with an easy try from the back fo the scrum. Furman was able to score again thereafter, but USC closed out the half with a second try by freshman Max Vernery as time expired. Freshman fullback Cullen Clair was 6/7 on conversions. The second half was hard to evaluate for USC, as they were hit by a rash of injuries, including a shot to junior captain Anthony Hughes's ribs. Athletic senior Chris Stevens also suffered a vicious ankle injury, furthering USC's quandary at outside center, as the Gamecocks were already without usual starter Brad Kieber. Fortunately, both players should be available for the SEC Tournament, to be held November 8th & 9th in Birmingham, AL, and club administrator James Farrar was able to video-tape the match to aid in coaching preparation. The Gamecocks will take on a much-improved Florida Gator team in the first round, to be hopefully followed by a match against the University of Tennessee. The Gamecocks hope to find themselves in the American Rugby News Top 25 this week, having put in another solid performance after being listed as a 'team to watch' concerning future rankings. Due to Furman's small-school status, the reserve grade ('B') side took on Asheville men's rugby, falling 12-5 despite an impressive effort. The Gamecocks' lone try was by senior outside center Steve Kornahrens, who dismayed the Asheville defense with a wicked stutter-step. Carolina 'B' looked great for much of the match, but just wasn't able to punch it in against their experienced senior opponent. The 'C' side played much of the second half, mixed in with 'B' side forwards. Coaches Geoff Mason and Erik 'Tex' Geib were once again delighted with the effort put forth, and expects big things of the reserve grade side as they move forward to the SEC Championship Tournament and spring matrix play. Indeed, the future of USC rugby looks quite bright with the talent displayed thus far. Press Release: uscrugby 102508.pdf Statistics:
University of South Carolina First XV 'A'				Furman University First XV 'A'
#	Player		Time	#	Player		Time
1.	M. Dillard			1.
2.	J. Schlachterman			2.
3.	Z. Coffman			3.
4.	J. Skaggs			4.
5.	G. Tabasko			5.
6.	M. Minnillo			6.
7.	A. Hughes (c) / C. Benov			7.
8.	Jas. Jacobs			8.
9.	C. O' Callahan			9.
10.	M. Vernerey			10.
11.	S. Beamish			11.
12.	D. Chandik			12.
13.	C. Stevens / S. Kornahrens / M. Weidman		55:00 63:00	13. 14.
14.	A. Hannah			15.
15.	C. Clair

Scoring Summary				Scoring Summary
4.	J. Skaggs	TRY	7:00	#?.		PG	5:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	7:00	#?		TRY	56:00
10.	M. Vernerey	TRY	12:00	#?		CON	56:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	12:00	#?		TRY	69:00
14.	A. Hannah	TRY	31:00	#?		TRY	78:00
13.	C. Stevens	TRY	33:00	#?		CON	78:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	33:00
6.	M. Minnillo	TRY	66:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	66:00
8.	Jas. Jacobs	TRY	76:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	76:00
10.	M. Vernerey	TRY	80:00
15.	C. Clair	CON	80:00

University of South Carolina Reserve Grade 'B'				Asheville Men's Rugby
Scoring Summary				Scoring Summary
13.	S. Kornahrens	TRY	25:00	#?		TRY	19:00
				#?		TRY	22:00
				#?		CON	22:00

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