Welcome to the 2011 Palmetto Tournament Information Page.

USC, Greenville claim Palmetto Cup

The University and South Carolina and Greenville Men’s teams captured the Palmetto Tournament Cup in two thrilling finals this past weekend.

In the men’s final, Charleston coasted to an early 15-3 lead.  But the second half belonged to the Griffins.  The squad, playing a forward and field possession game, chipped away at the Outlaw lead, scoring a try with just two minutes remaining to seal the 26-15 win and claim the cup from the defending champions.

The college final, mirrored the men’s final but with different results.  The University of South Carolina, which ran roughshod over Saturday’s opponents, appeared favored over the defending champion Clemson Tigers, who squeaked by Furman 10-8 to make the championship game.

Early on, the game played to the Gamecocks advantage and USC, using dynamic backline play, constructed a 15-3 halftime lead.  But the Tigers rallied and played much of the second half in the Gamecock end.  USC, with two players sin binned at one point, could mount no offense.
The Tigers finally broke through for a try with about five minutes remaining to cut the USC lead to 15-8 after the missed conversion. 

Energized and riding the wave of momentum, the Tigers scored again with less than a minute remaining but narrowly missed a conversion that would have knotted the game as CU dropped a 15-13 decision to their in-state rival.

In the consolation game, Furman took third-place honors with a 41-26 victory over Division II rivals Coastal Carolina in a game of contrasting styles.  Furman a team that focused on fluid back play and kicking, managed – for the most part – to dictate the game-style over Coastal, a forward dominated squad.  Furman broke out to an early two-try lead.  Both teams traded trys thereafter until the final whistle blew.

All the scores:
Furman 8 Clemson 10
Columbia 15 Greenville 26
Coastal 27 Greenville II 0
Columbia 5 Charleston 73
USC 71 Greenville II 0
USC B 7 Clemson 49
Coastal 5 USC 46
Furman 60 USC B 10
Greenville 26 Charleston 15
Greenville II 17 USC B 8
Furman 41 Coastal 26
USC 15 Clemson 13

 

Background
Furman is proud to host the 2011 Palmetto Tournament October 29-30. We have hosted the tournament ten times since the tournament was reorganized in 2000. Winners of the Tournament claim the Palmetto Cup. Defending Champions must return the tournament this year with cup in hand to defend it.

Hotel of Choice
The Clarion Inn & Suites in Greenville is our tournament hotel. It is located at 50 Orchard Park Blvd, which is off Haywood Road. The Clarion is less than five minutes from the Saturday night social. The Palmetto Union annual fall meeting will be held at the Clarion Saturday night. These are discounted rates. Be sure to mention you with rugby tournament when you call. The hotel is newly renovated. The rate includes a hot breakfast. Call 864.254.6383 to reserve your room.

Tournament Officials
The tournament director is to be named later.. John Roberts is the tournament host/organizer.

In the event of rain...
The tournament will have to be scaled back dramatically or cancelled because we cannot use the football practice fields in the event of rain.

Training staff
A training staff, sponsored by St. Francis Hospital, will be available to help with injuries.

Tournament supplier
Cambria Sports of Charleston will serve at the tournamet vendor. They will have a tent set up with supplies for sale. If you, or your squad, need anything in paricular, please email Rob Jones at cambriasports@gmail.com so that he can pack accordinly.

Pitches
The games will be played on one varsity football practice field and the John S. Roberts Rugby Field. The lower fields (varsity practice fields) will be a bit narrow. The pitch turf will be excellent. Field 2 is next to the track. .

Restrooms
The football stadium will be open.

Concessions
Tournament t-shirts will be on sale at the concessions stand along with burgers, hotdogs and other edibles. All food proceeds from the concessions will benefit the Greer Rugby Spartans, a high school team. Members of the squad and parents will be working concessions. They are trying to raise funds to support travel and new jerseys for next year.

The Schedule: To be posted later.

Past results

Men Club
Columbia (2001, 2009 champions)
Charleston (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 champions)
Sumter
St. Andrews
Augusta
Greenville (2000, 2005, 2011 champions)
Myrtle Beach
Asheville

College
USC A (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2011 champions)
USC B
Citadel A
Citadel B
Furman (2004, 2005, 2008 champions)
Clemson (2010)
College of Charleston
Lander
Coastal Carolina (2006, 2007)

Women
Furman
C of C (2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 champions)
Greenville (2010 champions)
Clemson women (2000, 2002, and 2005)

* no women's field in 2011