2003 PALMETTO TOURNAMENT GAME SCORES

The Charleston Outlaws, University of South Carolina and Clemson women's teams took top honors at the 2003 Palmetto Rugby Championship Tournament  hosted by Furman University Nov. 1-2.

            Charleston, the defending champion, squared off against Greenville in the finals.  In a tightly contested game, Charleston led 5-3 at halftime.  Late in the second half, the Outlaws added a try and penalty kick to seal the victory over the Griffins, who advanced to the finals with a dramatic 22-20 win over the Columbia Olde Grey.

            The men?s collegiate final was another nail-biter.  The University of South Carolina, a Div. II team and tournament champions since 2000, faced off against Furman University, the 2003 Div. III East Coast Champions.  USC scored early and clung to a 7-0 lead at halftime.  Furman, however, converted a try early in the second half to knot the game 7-7.  It remained tied until the USC forwards bullied into the try zone with three minutes left to take a 14-7 lead and ultimately the victory.

            In the women?s final Clemson, a Division I team, defeated the College of Charleston 10-3, a Division II squad.  Justin Czerskey, the USC fly-half, was named the tournament?s most valuable player.

            The tournament was hosted by Furman University.  John Roberts served as tournament coordinator while John Meyers was tournament director.

Saturday scores

Furman 15 Lander 0

USC 54 Winthrop 0

Clemson women 19 Furman 5

Greenville 22 Columbia 20

Furman 12 College of Charleston 0

Clemson women 41 USC 5

Charleston 32 Columbia 0

Winthrop 27 Lander 0

Charleston 13 Greenville 3

USC women 10 College of Charleston 5

USC 22 College of Charleston 0

Sunday

Furman women 17 USC 10

Winthrop 19 College of Charleston 7

Clemson women 10 College of Charleston 3

USC 14 Furman 7