[Sinbin] USA South Quarter Finals vs. Chattanooga

[Gregg Trance]

Wow, that's how you have to start this.  We started the game feeling
pretty confident with our team. We were at home, had 22 players
available, and had practiced well leading up to the game.
Then the kickoff, right from the first minutes, Chattanooga had us on
our heels. They played High Country Rugby. Kick deep down the open
lanes,  cover the kicks well with good defense and wait for the other
team to make a mistake on there side of the field.  It worked earlier in
the year for us, and it worked for Chattanooga.
Midway through the 1st half, we were down 17-0.  We later came back with
a try  and conversion to make it 17-7 at the half.  But we were in
disarry.  We were fighting amongst ourselves, with the Referee, and even
on the sidelines.  Coachs,  Subs, Old Boys, and our Players were shock
and confused.  
We made some subs at half and reconfirmed our game plan and took the
field again, not with the greatest of confidence.
The second half started much like the first half.  Early in Chattanooga
put in another Try, and made the score 22-7. That made it 2 trys and 2
conversions or we're through. Right after this we have a player sinbined
and are playing 1 man down.  This is when it looked worst.  I wasn't
sure how our team would react, I wasn't sure if we could over come this.
Chattanooga was a big, physical, fast team, well coached with good
skills.  They are the Mid South Champions.
We finally scored our first points of the second half, and brought the
score to 22-14. Chattanooga answered 27-14.
Truly the best 10 minutes of Rugby I've ever seen High Country play.
With our backs against the wall and time winding down on our season.
Something clicked.  It was team rugby. Great support, tremendous effort,
smart ball movement, ball retention, great rucking, strong tackling, and
a will to not lose.
We scored 2 more uncoverted trys, 27-24.  Then we started the 81 minute
and had just injury time.  The referee said this would be the last play,
next stopage in play game over.  Fom behing there 22, they decided to
kick, if the ball goes out, game over.  We fielded the ball and brought
it back to midfield.  Our support/rucking was so good the ballcarrier
was tacked, and before he had to release the ball his support was there
and so strong that they cleaned right over him, and he stood up and
passed the ball out to start the last play of the game.
A frantic play from the left side of the field to the right corner of
the Try Zone. Try, penalty on Chattanooga, coversion, 27-31.
Chattanooga lead for 80 minutes, but we refused to loose.
Players:
Trevor, Doug Jackson, Rob Hansen
Pale Mitch, Kiwi Mike, Cheese
Spencer, Hipp, Hix, Gabe
Matt, Lee
Crofty, Drapeau, Kier, Terry, Brian Johnson, Biggsie, Kenya
Christian, Raj, Brian Kelly
Individual highlights were numerous, and can be viewed on Tuesday @ our
team meeting, 7pm Southbend Park.
Man of the Match: David Croft Backs, David Spencer Forwards
Honorable Mention: Brian Johnson Backs, Rob Hansen Forwars
Congratulations to the High Country family, USA South Finals 2nd
straight year. GRU Champs 3rd year in a row.
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