Furman 17 Citadel 3
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Adam Tenke and Wash Thomas scored trys Saturday as the Paladins defeated the Citadel 17-3.

With the victory, the Paladins hold a 2-0 record in the conference as the team prepares to host the University of South Carolina C-side 1 p.m., Saturday at the Furman Rugby Pitch.

Played on the Citadel parade grounds in the middle of the campus, the Paladins broke out to an early 12-0 lead. But wet field conditions, rain and a feisty cadet defense kept Furman from finding the offense necessary to put the Bulldogs away.

The Paladins defeated the Bulldogs in a home fall game 41-0.

"We did not have much punch today," said Furman rugby coach John Roberts. "But the Citadel always plays us real tough in Charleston. They have a lot of pride and don't like Furman beating them on their parade ground."

The Furman team bested the College of Charleston 15-8 Feb. 7 to open the spring season. The USC C-side is 0-2 this spring season.

A traditional power in DIII rugby, the Paladins amassed an 8-1-1 record last spring in route to national title game.

But injuries and a small squad is threatening Furman's chances of making another run. Starters including Roe Morris, Josh Williams, Justin King and Kyle Tenke have been hampered by injuries. And this week the squad learned that Gaines Burnett, a former football standout who joined the rugby team just months ago, would be out for least a month due to injury.

"With a squad of 19, we are getting pretty close to not having the numbers to field a complete team," says Roberts. "It takes 15 to form a team. With low numbers you can't prepare adequately for games and have good productive practice sessions."

Roberts, who has coached the Paladins to three national titles, is hoping his team can weather the next two weeks. After that, he a two-week spring break lay-off, will be enough to heal nagging injuries in time for another run in the Rugby South playoffs.