Daytona Vs. USF
Daytona B's Vs. UCF
10/1/05 @ Cocoa

10 am away games do not always bring out large numbers of players, and this weekend most of them were 1st year players. Due to injury(all minor I hope) Alex, Brian, Justin, George, Chad, and Topper could not play. Others like Easty, Lane, Shami(who we were hoping would travel and play for the first time), Frank, Mark, Sebastian, and Trent were unavailable. That is a side in itself that could win some games.

But not to worry the young guys stepped it up. Guys like Luke, Marshall, Pat, Jason, Henry, and Eric kept the energy level high, as well as the mistakes low. Carlos was moved to center, Abe and Dan Showed up , both having big games, and Lexi put so much effort into making sure the backs were successful that he actually missed 3 kicks. (Although it was windy and they were all outside kicks) Despite the missed kicks Lexi was still the back of the day. With our two new BIG-UNS Jason and Henry, the 7’s slimmed down Big Craig was moved to 8 man. The experiment actually worked out pretty well and we will play with that some more if our scrums hold together. Doc, Scott, and Jeremiah did their usual good job.

Two weeks ago, USF had tied Div II St. Pete, so we knew this side was capable of playing well, which we saw first hand in the second half. Actually the first 10 minutes they played well, and we had 4 handling errors and one major strategic error near our 22 that kept the score 0-0. Then Henry and Jason started us going with a line break that ended up in Lexi’s hands. Lexi then set Abe up who zig zagged his way down field where Doc finished it off. We got the kick and had some good phases until a knock. We were stealing scrums all day (GREAT WORK TIGHT 5) and after a long break by Scott setting up hands down the line by the backs Abe put his first down. Henry made yet another strong run, I counted at least 6 separate times making 10+ yards while leaving defenders on the ground. Each run he set up the next phase with a good set or small pop. He also set up Jason who had his first try called back as he lost control of it 3 yds into the try zone. Off the ensuing 5 meter scrum Doc knocked the ball loose from the opposing scrum half, Lexi got it and set up Abe for his second try.

The next kickoff we were able to string 8 phases until Dan just barely was knocked out of bounds. After some tuff D we were awarded a penalty deep in their territory and sent it wide Lexi to Dan, Dan back to Lexi. Lexi was tackled just outside the try zone and as he was recovering from the tackle a USF played grabbed him from the ground and would not release. You must always start any action from your feet and a penalty try was awarded.

A deep kick put USF on their heels, then with great coverage and a strong tackle from Pat we were able to send the ball ou to the back quickly. USF's defense was now over playing our backs so when Lexi dished it back inside to Scott he found at huge 10 meter hole. Putting it in high gear he smashed through the unorganized defense on a 30yds run for a try under the posts.

Eric picked and went after a stolen scrum for a heads up try with the defense not set. Another stolen scrum was picked up by Craig to Doc to Lexi for a try right before the Half was over with Daytona up 43-0.

Coaches always worry and I was worried about over confidence and the hot weather. We had no less than 10 handling errors and 5 penalties in the second half, after just 4 handling errors and 1 penalty in the first half. Even though I made 5 subs, Doug for Jeremiah, Lil Craig for Dan, Andy for Abi, Issac for Lexi, and Pat K. for Abe, most of those errors were being made by our tired old vets. Good Job young guns. Doug had his best minute of rugby ever after Henry’s longest run of the day about 50 yds (when are you going to score?). Doug was the only one in support but was tackled hard into the ground and was forced to come off the field, but he is A ok. Isaac Zigged and Zagged a few times for big yards and Big Craig took an 8 man pickup from the scrum for a try. Henry, Eric, Doc, and Carlos made some good plays in the second half. The game ended 50-8 , and the 8 points were given up before the subs came on with about 25 minutes to go. Henry I am giving you Forward of the game. We also made henry play prop for Boca but the ignorant Ref would not allow him to prop because he never played there in a game before and must have thought he was too small and petite to play there. Big Craig had the (bonehead) play of the day with a nifty little kick pass, I think I re-injured myself after seeing that play. Guys you better have made him shoot the boot.

Daytona B's Vs. UCF

B game was backyard rugby at its best, we went to an open field and marked it off with t shirts, called trent down and played UCF B's. We lined up:
1 Abi 2 Dan C. 3 Henry, 4 Pat, 5 Jason, 6 Andy, 7 Eric, 8 Daniella , 9 Lil Craig, 10 Isaac, 11 Yeager, 12 Marshall, 13 Luke, 14 Justin, and 15 Kipper. With Big Craig and Jeremiah as reserves.

Tempers were churning playing an energetic collegiate B side, but luckily everyone kept their cool. UCF mucked it up a bit, but, were not shy about tackling, putting their hands in, laying all over the ball, or kicking at it from offsides positions. Unfortunately this is the only way for them to learn. I am hoping they did not injure Henry after someone dove on his legs from the side of a ruck. Jason had his first try and Abi ran one in from about 30yds. All Stars Craig( who took over for henry) and Jeremiah (who took over for Jason late in the game) both put in scores. Jeremiah forgot this game was to give our new players some experience and not to run over the young opposition. I think Luke racked up the most yardage on a couple long runs.

Thanks to ERAU for some much needed $'s for equipment. We purchased a scrum machine (YES), new jerseys and balls, and will hopefully be able to assemble some nice posts.

2005 Florida Cup Champions
2005 National Championship Final Four
2005 South Territorial Champions
2005 Florida State Champions
2003 Florida Cup Champions