Quakers Win Conference Opener

Guilford - 38 UNCP - 7

The Guilford Quakers opened conference play this week with a solid win over the much improved UNC-Pembroke Braves. This Spring marks the UNCP club's first season in the NCRU Matrix, yet the young team put forth an impressive effort, specifically with their lineouts and kicking game. The Quaker's put up an impressive defensive effort allowing UNCP only one try scored off multiple Guilford handling errors. Guilford's offensive effort was similarly strong with the side exhibiting both quickness and great crash running. The Quaker's had good ball retention and utilized their backs well.

Saturday's Guilford try scorers included flanker Andrew Slater, flyhalf Davie Mckindly-Ward, inside center Evan "Sunshine" Flanders and winger Cody Martin. Sunshine Flanders was Coach Hayden's pick for Man of the Match due to his hard running and all around strong play.

Next weekend Guilford College will travel to Duke University for thier second matrix match.






Photo Credit: Maxwell Beaudoin George

Match Report UNCC @ Guilford

Guilford Rugby Dismantles UNCC 49ers

Guilford-36 UNCC-10

Match Report:

The Guilford College Rugby Club played host this past Saturday to a familiar foe, the UNC-Charlotte 49ers, on what turned out to be a stellar sunny afternoon. UNCC was originally scheduled to travel to Guilford earlier in the season, but the game was unable to be hosted due to the administration's concerns for the fields during a tropical storm. Since then, Charlotte seemed to have picked up momentum, notching victories over a revived UNCG team and Duke University.
The match was intense from the kickoff. Charlotte fought hard, but were unable to keep pace with the young "A/B" Guilford side, made up as always of experienced leaders and very game rookies. Since late August the Guilford players have been putting up with a very physically demanding practice schedule which has paid great dividends. Put quite simply, the boys don't slack.Charlotte came out to hit, as it was indeed a Saturday, and gave Guilford perhaps their most physical match short of Triad Rugby. However, accurate kicking, great communication, quick hands, and another great performance by a solid, gritty pack had Charlotte on their heels most of the entire game. An unfortunately whimsical referee apparently forgot his warnings, advantages, and yellow cards at home, but did not fail to red card senior Guilford scrum-half Max Kochinke for aggressive footing in the ruck with no prior address. A Charlotte back was also red-carded, perhaps questionably. An extraordinary amount of knocks, off-sides, and dangerous tackles were let go for both teams, causing the game to feel more like a continuous brawl at times. Guilford maintained composure and organization, however, and left no doubt in a clear and telling 36-10 victory.
Last week's heroes performed expectedly well, with the entire front row of Watters, Smithey, and Montes de Oca putting in serious work and impressive crash ball against the much larger Charlotte team. Both the flankers Andrew owned tries on the day, an impressive Matt Elverson managed to play both #8 and #9 for twenty minutes of the game, and a rejuvenated Will Dawson used his shoulder as a battering ram to great effect throughout the first half. Every back-line player shined, all showing great offensive flair and chase, and repeatedly stopping an intimidating Mean Green line-up. The game was epitomized as senior winger Cody Martin efficiently laid out a hard-charging opponent nearly twice his weight on the try-line, pushing the play out of bounds and winning the ball back for his team. Guilford Rugby will now enjoy a much deserved rest after starting their fall season with five wins and no defeats.
Match Report By Coach Hunter
Photo Credit: Megan Slater

Quakers Move to 4-0

Last Friday Guilford College RFC beat their rivals Elon 18 to 14.
The Quakers are now 4-0 for the fall season.

This was the first victory Guilford has had over Elon in recent history (at least three years) and Elon was last years NCRU D-III matrix Champions. Match report and pictures are posted below.

Guilford beats Triad Rugby

Guilford College RFC 17 Triad RFC 14

The Guilford Men's Rugby Team left Oka T. Hester Park last Saturday battered but not beaten. Though lacking a number of key forwards the Quakers traveled across Greensboro to face local men's team Triad RFC. Among those absent from the pitch were David "Mini-Fridge" Watters, Andrew "Crazy Eyes" Slater, "Blazin" Crosby Blair, and Kevin "Thespian" Smithy. Though lacking these key players Guilford put on an impressive show squeaking by Triad 17-14.

As expected the game was a hard hitting example of smash mouth rugby. Senior flanker Graham "Machismo" Payne set the pace early with a crushing hit on the kick off. Guilford put points up early when David "All-Star" Mckindley-Ward sent a penalty through the uprights leaving the score 3-0. The next points would be scored by Chris "Stretch Armstrong" Pugliese, when he scooped up a lost ball from Triad and ran 30 meters into the try zone. David converted the try to give Guilford a 10-0 lead. Triad outmatched Guilford in size and experience and used both to their advantage in clearing out rucks and winning lineouts. Triad used their size to punch one through closing the gap to 10-7. Guilford soon returned fire with a try of their own. Pack Captain Abel Montes De Oca had an impressive run through Triad's forwards only to be stopped short of the try. Nick "I'll break yo face" Hunter, managed to put the ball across the try line leaving the score 17-7 Guilford at the half.

For the last 40 minutes Guilford subbed in 5 rookie backs. Triad attempted to exploit this kicking multiple times to the inexperienced backline. The rookies proved their mettle however, making quick decisions, expert tackles and disallowing Triad to score off the kick. Triad would manage to punch through for another try leaving the score at a tight 17-14. The Quakers held on tightly to their lead and refused to concede anymore points leaving the score at 17-14, with Guilford coming out on top.