Furman rushes past Gamecocks, next up: UNCC

The Furman rugby team continued its winning ways by posting an impressive 44-14 win over Division I South Carolina at Roberts Field Saturday.

The Paladins were originally scheduled to host the Gamecocks’ second team. But a last minute cancellation by Vanderbilt paved the way for USC to front up with their best team. Both squads entered the contest undefeated. South Carolina, a Southeastern Rugby Conference power, were outmatched by the Paladins fast-paced offense throughout the first half.

Jacob Milchuck, Matty Newman, Adam Miller and Adrian Marcogliese scored trys for Furman as the Paladins raced to a 29-0 lead and kept South Carolina under pressure throughout the first 40.  The Paladins began haltingly in the second half and were besieged with penalties.

Milchuck added a penalty kick to stake Furman to a 32-0 at the 43 minute mark before the Gamecocks scored tries at the 50 and 57. Furman’s RJ Bradley and Miller added trys for the Paladins during the game’s final 10 minutes.

“We put together a very strong first half,” said Furman Coach John Roberts, “but we were complacent for much of the second half. We are capable of superb play. We must play in a more consistent manner moving forward.”

Furman (6-0) has outscored its opponents 384 to 48 but will face a stern challenge Thursday against undefeated UNCC in a match that will likely determine the SRC West Division Champions. The game will kick at 8 p.m. on the North Village Recreation Field.