St. Louis Hornets Rugby Club

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Man of the Match

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Pre-Season Round Robin

08/22 at 12:18 PM

Opponent

Fayetteville Griphons, Sherveport LA, & Oklahoma City, OK

Home/Away

away

Location

Score

Hornets-29, Gryphons-12

Recap

The Hornets took their annual pilgrimage to Fayetteville, Arkansas and paid tribute to one of the All Time Great Hornets Chris Trotter. As always, the trip was highly anticipated as the Arkansas Gryphons always battle hard and host like no other club. The drinking went late into the night accompanied with plenty of songs, boat racing and other unmentionable events (think eggroll). But first the game…....

Although the Hornets traveled light with only 16 active players, 5 other injured players joined to support the team.

The Hornets were a little slow out of the gate and allowed an early try to the Gryphons. However, the intensity immediately increased. The Hornets hustled around the field and Chris Fadler was able to find loose ball in the Gryphons try zone for a score. Minutes later, the Hornets drove the field again and Matt Fitzgerald took a 1-2 crash off Nick Kalist for a 10 meter try. The momentum had swung and the Hornets would go on to dominate the remainder of the day. The half ended with Kalist scoring off a loop from newcomer Jeremy Rose from 22 out.

The second half was more of the same, including beautiful 50+ meter runs from Rose and Fitzgerald for scores. The Gryphons countered with a try and conversion. Scrum half Brad Bearden converted on two kicks. Rob Hite provided some great hustle as a second half replacement and rookie Lance Crowell proved he will be a dominant force at flanker and in line outs. Final score 29-12.

The Hornets played a 3rd half to help prepare for the upcoming Cup Season. It was little sloppy as the players began to wear down from the long day of rugby. The Hornets were able to score off a beautiful pop pass out of the ruck from Jim Crouch to Kalist for a 20 meter try. Bryan Carey converted to kick to end the game 7 - 0.

Rookies Jeremy Rose and Lance Crowell were awarded Man of the Match from club as part of their Hornet’s debut. At the After Party the Gryphons gave Man of the Match honors to Nick Kalist.

Final Results
Game One 29-12
Game Two 7 - 0
Trys
Matt Fitzgerald (2)
Nick Kalist (2)
Chris Fadler (1)
Jeremy Rose (1)
Bryan Carey - 1 conversion kick
Brad Bearden - 2 conversion kick