Results from the 2003 Collegiate National All-Star Championship
June 6 & 7
Vallejo, CA

South 35 Northeast 10

The South came out strong from the opening kick off. The first possession for the backs saw Kane (MTSU) break through the Northeast defensive line, from the half-way line, good support from the backs and loose forwards saw Caskey (UF) cross the line for an unconverted try with only one minute and twenty seconds played. The second try of the game followed at almost the four minute mark, after another break from Kane, this was scored by Melroy (UT) who was up in support from the full-back position, Melroy also converted. The South forwards were relentless in the pursuit of the ball with the Northeast always on the back foot and having to deal with scraps. A penalty converted by Melroy after fourteen minutes gave the South a comfortable 15-0 lead. The Northeast having been halted in their stride when attempting to run from penalty plays, kicked a penalty on the seventeen minute mark. There was no further scoring in the first half, and the South ended the first half 15-3 to the good.

A piece of individual skill and speed delighted the spectators ten minutes into the second half, when Chevis (FSU) received a pass around mid-field and simply out paced the Northeast defense for a score out wide. Fifteen minutes into the half the tireless Renda (MTSU) scored after more good ball retention from the forwards. A lapse in concentration allowed the Northeast to score a converted try at the twenty minute mark. Substitute Leake (ASU) on for Caskey rounded off more ball retention work with a well deserved try after thirty minutes. The final score of the day was by Man of the match - Renda.

So. California 50 South 7

So. Cal came out in a similar fashion to how the South had started the previous day. The ball went from end to end as both sides threw caution to the wind with attacking rugby. So. Cal scored a converted try after six minutes from their impressive wing. They then performed a heroic goal line stand for nearly four minutes as the South threatened to score. The South made some bad decisions with individuals trying to score, this resulted in gaps out wide which So. Cal exploited from "turn over ball", with their speedy wing who almost went the length of the field before passing to a supporting player to go over for their second converted score. The South dug deep, with good work in the loose play by Bankston (FIU), Renda, Smith (UTC) and Caskey coming to the fore. Each side secured their own ball at the set plays and canceled each other out with their defense. On twenty four minutes the "wheels fell off" as So. Cal scored three tries (one converted) in the space of eight minutes. There were complaints that two of the tries were from blatant forward passes and the third was from a quick throw in, after the line-out had formed. It's just as well that video replay was not in use, as there was definitely a case to answer to. This killed the game off as a competition with the half-time score being So. Cal 38 South 0

The second half was a much tighter affair, although the South could have thrown in the towel after five minutes, as yet another dubious pass saw So.Cal score again. But the South showed their true character, they didn't complain, they just dug their heels in and started to take the ascendancy as the bigger So. Cal forwards started to tire. The South pressured the So. Cal line for almost twenty four minutes, but a dropped pass or the ball being killed at the break down prevented the South from scoring. Then another break away score by So. Cal on twenty eight minutes brought up the fifty points mark. Most sides would have been demoralized, but the South kept chipping away, and were rewarded when Melroy (UT) kicked ahead and beat two So. Cal defenders to the ball to score under the posts, he converted his own try.

Postscript

Deserved congratulations go to Mike Renda (MTSU), who was the only player from the South selected for the All-Americans squad to tour New Zealand in August. Congratulations also go to Brian Melroy (UT) for making the honorable mention All-American list. In my humble opinion, the selectors missed two South players: John Bankston (FIU) who performed like a fourth loose forward from the lock position in both games, and Mark Kane (MTSU) who showed true center qualities in both games.

A special round of thanks go to the Chattanooga Rugby Club and the MidSouth Union for sponsoring the squads evening meals.

Report by:
S. Nigel Platt, South Collegiate Men's All-Stars Team Manager & Coach