Daytona Vs. Jacksonville
10/22/05 @ Daytona

The Big Game Daytona vs. Jax at Embry Riddle Recreation Field

Well the event finally came, and it was a great day for Daytona Beach Rugby. Thank you’s start with Lee Ann who put together an awesome program to hand out and email, she did that all on her own. Jeremiah who organized and delegated the food and field set up, and for all the people who helped behind the table or grill, and Marshall and Eric the two heads of marking a nice wide field with plenty of spectator space, and Embry Riddle for their field.

We had over 100 spectators, it was a lot of fun playing in front of such a big crowd cheering us on. I think they got us going after we got off to such a bad start. We know how Jax can hurt us and after 3 straight Penalties we were down 3-0. Then our game jitters subsided and we decided to stay on-sides, get our hands out of the rucks, and tackle low. Things quickly started to turn in our favor. We put our first points on the board with a Penalty kick of our own to tie it up. Following a high tackle, one of Jax's players was sin-bined. Despite them playing a mand down we were not able to capitalize. However shortly after they returned to full strength, rookie of the day Jason (land shark) Muller split two defenders and got over the try line for his 1st ever try.

Following the conversion and restart, Dan and Abe wer able to break away and work the ball up to the Jax 22 meter and set a nice ruck. Jeremiah, seizing his opportunity picked and barrled down the sideline for the second try of the afternoon. The halftime whistle blew with Dayton up 15-3 at half.

The second half started with the same intensity the first had ended in. Scott started the scoring off with a brilliant run, getting the ball wide he then cut back inside and ran threw a bunch of tacklers for the try. Sometimes when in rains, it pours, and it was about to empty on Jacksonville. Coach Brian caught a Jax line out throw and was able to pass back inside to Jeremiah who would not be denied from his second try of the day this one converted. Off of another line out over throw our backs were working the ball outside and Brian looped the entire field where he took a pass from Scott and was able to turn the corner on the Jax defender. After a nice stiff arm Brian was over the line and into the try zone for a converted try. After the restart Daytona put together a string of phases to work the ball deep into Jax territory. Off of a ruck Dan Van-Fullback looped around Brian at full speed going wide into a 2 on 1 situation. Dan cut back inside of the defender and worked it back into the middle for a converted try. At this point tempers began to flare and a tussle broke out just outside the 5 Meter line. When the Ref was blowing his whistle to stop the fight he turned to see where the ball was and since it was already in the try zone awarded the try. That finished the scoring for a 43-3 win, Lexi converted 4-5 kicks and 1-2 on penalties, Doc converted one kick to give Lexi a little rest. We will still probably run into Jax later on during the Florida Cup playoffs and will need a repeat of the same effort if we hope to win the 2005 Florida Cup.

Jax did not bring a full B side but had a bunch of UNF players with them. I asked a few guys to be traitors and the B side went to work. We played 3 20 minute periods and there was a lot of good rugby. We were making a lot of good defensive plays, but the defense would slowly get out of position and allow several breaks. On offense the same thing was happening, a couple good runs and the offense could not quite work it into the try zone. Yeager, Tobin, and a new Daytona guy all got try’s for the bad guys. Marshall also had a good game at scrum half for them (unfortunate for us). The B side went down 34-0.

The girls, 12 of them, with newbies Bryan and Jason (how could they not score against girls) played a 7’s game that went into sudden death overtime. There were some good long breaks, Susan even juked Bryan and should have had a try but she attempted to score on the 22 meter line(do not worry many a guy has done that). Melissa however was in support and was able to finish off that attempt for the black team. The white team would not be out done though, and Brandy made a good run and try for the white team. The black team answered right back with another run by Susan to retake the lead. As time was winding down, Liz, the white teams scrum half made a long run to tie the score. After 15 minutes Daniella wanted to call it quits but Melissa wanted a win so we kicked off a sudden death period. Soon after the kick to start sudden death the Sarah (MVP) the black fly half, took the ball from a scrum back around on the weak side and made an 80 meter run to finish the game. The girls are picking up the little things quickly and had a lot of fun out there, they even clean up pretty good. (Just need to work on the kicking - no converted trys finally Score Black 15 - White 10)

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