Furman Rugby featured in Rugby Magazine

A profile of Furman Rugby Coach John Roberts is featured in the May/June issue of Rugby Magazine.  The two-page article details Roberts' rugby resume and chronicles the success of the Furman Rugby program which includes three national titles, five South Championhips and the construction of rugby stadium.   Read the article.

Down like a champion

 Furman came up just three points short in the team's bid for a sixth Rugby South Championship against conference rival Coastal Carolina March 29, dropping a thrilling 13-10 decision to the Chanticleers.

 

The Paladins, who advanced to the championship game with a 29-8 victory over Tulane in Saturday?s semi-final, had a run of poor luck against a strong Coastal team.

 

At the 10 minute mark, winger Lane Hayes had the ball in the CCU try zone, but bounced the ball off the knee of a Coastal player before he could touch it down. Later, Michael Erickson had the same opportunity with the ball slipping from his fingers before he could provide downward pressure.  And a last-second try at the end of the game was called back because of a forward pass.

 

"So many times in a championship game between two evenly matched teams, the game will turn on breaks or an official's whistle," said Coach John Roberts.  "The game was officiated fairly but we were unlucky today."

 

Coastal took an early 5-0 lead on a try midway through the first half, a lead that held up before Erickson connected on a penalty kick shortly before the half to make the score 5-3.  In the second half, Coastal bullied in another try to build their lead to 10-3.  With 10 minutes remaining, the Chanticleers connected on penalty to take a 13-3 lead.

 

The Paladins staged a rally.  Erickson dotted down a try with five minutes remaining.  After the successful conversion, CCU held a slim 13-10 that held up.  Furman pressured during the final minutes, but were just a pass short or a  knock-on from capturing the team's sixth Rugby South crown in seven years.

 

"The team played it very hard right down until the end.  Coastal is very big and athletic.  Furman did not take home the championship today, but they went down like a champion, scrapping and fighting until the final whistle," said Roberts.

 

Coastal advances to the National DIII Small College National Championship Final Four to be held April 25-26 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

 

The Paladins close the 2008-09 season with a 12-3 record.

 

Links of Interest

Rugby Magazine feature

2009 spring matrix



Camera in hand, Mark Ryckman, a Furman rugby parent, has attened nearly all of the Furman games this year.  Check out his photos here. 

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