The year of the Coconut?

Well with one game to go on Saturday December 3rd 2005 Daytona Beach Rugby assembled for the Florida Cup State Finals vs. Tampa Bay Krewe in Kissimmee Florida. These two teams beat out every other team in the state in Divisions I, II, III, and the collegiate sides around 30 teams. Also! there was a large hurdle Daytona Beach Rugby would have to overcome on this day, the Coconuts had 4 starters make the USA Rugby South mens all star team. They were Scrum Half Captain James Brown, Forward/Back Scott Sivak, Lock/Prop/8 man Craig Howitt and Flanker Brian Richardson. These 4 players had a very difficult game the day before at the National All Star Championships vs the Southern California All Stars, also in Kissimmee, Tampa only had one player make the South allstar team.

Daytona eventually had the 22 players that they picked to play in today’s game at the field slightly bef! ore kick-off. The team was Props Jeremiah Gibbs and Matt Farley, Hooker Abi Cherian, Locks Henry Drier and Jason Muller, Flankers Eric Kvam and Brian Richardson, 8 man Craig Howitt, Scrum Half James Brown, Fly Half Lexi Bairstow, Centers Scott Sivak and Carlos Sanchez, Wingers Luke Newell and Isaac Couderier, and Fullback Dan Van Dellen. Substitutes on the roster were Perry Baker, Chad Dione, Mark Avvento, Frank Rodosta, Aaron Macgregor, George Allen, and Marshall Newell.

The team reviewed the game plan as best they could and the whistle blew for the start of play. Tampa came out firing with a lot of intensity. To the surprise of myself Tampa was trying some things that I had not seen them do in their semi-final match as well as some interesting calls made early by the ref and Daytona was down 5-0 in the opening minutes. Krewe was able to maintain their intensity for most of the first half and pounced upon a misplayed kick and centered a try to go up 12-0 on Daytona. Krewe for most of the game was almost perfect in the line out while Daytona struggled, for some reason we were just not connecting in that area. Things were not going especially bad for Daytona we were just having trouble putting enough plays together to get a score until late in the first half. Daytona eventually maneuvered down into Tampa territory and tried to execute their new penalty play. However lack of practice time over the holidays lead to this play breaking down even though Tampa was caught in a poor defensive alignment. This did lead to another penalty so Daytona tried its old penalty play and Lock Henry made a sharp cut that you would not think someone 270lbs could do and drove in for a try converted by Lexi. Daytona 7 Tampa 12. This did not break Tampa’s spirit or intensity and Tampa choose to run with the ball instead of attempt a penalty kick. Eric was able to make a strong tackle preventing a score and Daytona was able to hold on until the whistle blew and the half was over. Daytona was not playing bad just not matching the intensity that Tampa was bringing. Tampa was playing a very wide open attacking game so at half we decided to bring in 3 subs with less experience but add a little more speed. Perry came into one wing, Marc came into hooker, and Chad came into flanker and we moved Eric to wing. As a team we did not discuss much at half, and there was a quiet confidence and no bickering. This was only the 3rd time in 21 games this year we were down at the half. We decided we needed to tackle lower, match Tampa’s intensity, and keep attacking.

The Daytona I know well showed up 2nd half, we were able to maintain phases and keep the pressure on. Perry came out strong and made a dazzling 50 meter run that set up the next score. Craig eventually got the ball and took a daring run at the try zone but was stopped short by about 4 defenders, he did however get the b! all to Jeremiah who finished it off under the posts for a try and Lexi converted. Daytona 14 Tampa 12. Craig and Doc ran a nice back row play to the weak side off the scrum and Dan made an a strong run with a couple of quick moves and beat a few Tampa Defenders for an unconverted try. Daytona 19 Tampa 12. Scott was next after working the ball back across the field Scott made a strong run and left a defender on the ground for a try converted by Lexi. Daytona 26 Tampa 12. After a missed penalty kick Tampa came out attacking, their wing however knocked the ball on but the ref played advantage and did not blow the whistle. The Tampa player stopped and Brian picked up the ball and made a weak pass to Perry out in the open. Perry turned on the speed and beat a couple defenders to the side line and strode in for an unconverted try. Daytona 31 Tampa 12. Scott got injured and Frank came on at wing and we moved Eric now to center. We later thought Perry had another try when we were on defense he had tipped a Tampa pass up in the air an! d was able to bobble it back to himself, he was however called for a knock on. It was a close play to say the least. Eric kept up his defensive fury and made another great tackle late in the game to save a try. Craig was penalized yet again for killing the ball defensively and was sent off the field with 6 minutes to play. Tampa never quit and scored with 2 minutes to go making it Daytona 31 Tampa 19. Daytona was able to kill time and Doc kicked it out to end the game.

What an a! mazing 2nd half effort one of the best all year. On a whole every one played well enough to win and at times I saw every player on the field make plays which made man of the Match tough to pick. Jeremiah and Craig alternated all day a prop and our scrums were strong and they made some good runs. Perry had a great 2nd half, Dan is realizing he is fast, Scott Doc and Lexi did their usual. I had told all players that I would be out of town all week but I still got a call early in the morning from Eric wanting to know if I could pick him up because he had no ride to the meeting spot, he even called Scott about getting a ride to Tampa. ! Luckily Marshall came to his rescue, and his lack of direction was used to our advantage because he was all over the field all game and was asked to play 3 different positions so ERIC KVAM is our MAN OF THE MATCH. Great effort Eric.

Guys what an amazing year for Daytona Beach Rugby. The A team is 20-1 not counting 3 7’s tournament wins and two 7’s 2nd place finishes. Division III state Champs in the spring, South regional Champions, National Championship final 4, a great 7’s season, and topping it off with the F! lorida Cup. It truly was the year of the Coconut

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