Volunteers survive penalty-ridden match to defeat Clemson

This article was written by the crew from Tennessee Rugby.

The Volunteers survived a high penalty count and three sin bins to capture the victory over Clemson and thereby set up a showdown with Arkansas State for the South Championship.

The Tigers played inspired rugby and too were the victim of a high penalty count and two sin bins but in the end just couldn't keep pace on the scoreboard. The Volunteers secured the win by outscoring the Tigers 8 tries to 3 and thereby moved their South playoff record to 5-0.

The Volunteers jumped on the youthful Tigers in the B match and ran across 11 tries in route to a 69-14 victory. Tennessee played 30 club members in the second match and 47 on the day gathering the two victories.

The win now sets up the much anticipated visit from Arkansas State University on March 29. The Tribe comes to Knoxville with a 5-0 South record and a roster loaded with national and international all-stars.

It will be a stern test for the Volunteers as ASU defeated Clemson just two weeks ago by the incredible score of 68-0. The Tribe are led by All-American and Eagle candidate Curtis Huckaby who is a big strong runner that can also punish a team with his accurate boot in the open field. Additionally, Arkansas State has bolstered their line up with even more international stars than they had last year when they reached the finals of the USA Rugby National Championship. ASU will be well rested having enjoyed almost a month off prior to the match as they were the benefit of a very favorable schedule in their first year of Division I. The Volunteers will be challenged to keep pace with Arkansas State who has averaged over 62 points per game this season. Kick off time has yet to be determined.

University of Tennessee 44, Clemson University 28

Line Up
1. DiMeola
2. Nabors
3. Randolph
4. Fugate
5. Hauge / Sturdivant
6. Potter / Meccia / Boswell
7. Kelly
8. Abernathy
9. Jones
10. Edmunds
11. Melroy
12. Hartley
13. Silverstein
14. Baker / Wilson
15. Brown

Scoring Summary (Assist)
6:00 PK by Edmonds 3-0
8:00 Try by Abernathy, CK by Edmonds 10-0
15:00 Try by Clemson 10-7
19:00 Try by Melroy 15-7
29:00 Try by Melroy 20-7
50:00 Try by Hartley; CK by Edmonds 27-7
54:00 PK by Clemson 27-10
59:00 PK by Clemson 27-13
61:00 Try by Melroy 32-13
64:00 Try by Clemson 32-18
68:00 PK by Clemson 32-21
74:00 Try by Wilson 37-21
77:00 Try by Clemson 37-28
80:00 Try by Jones; CK by Edmonds 44-28

Halftime: Tennessee 20, Clemson 7
Referee: John Meyers
Kickoff: 2:00 PM

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