COACH'S WRAP FOR FALL 2009
UF Rugby Coach Ken Simmons provides a brief summary of the games' highlights as they become available.
Last updated on October 27, 2009
Navy game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdg2CtMbDoYUniversity of Florida 60 - Naples Rugby Club 12
Gator Rugby is back on track. After a few weeks of complacency threatening to overcome the gators like a cancer, we showed great discipline and focus during the 60-12 thrashing of Naples Rugby Club.
Naples was short on players, and we gave them two excellent wings to fill their side, last year's UF leading try scorer Ben Walker and past UF president Matt Barr. UF took advantage of the non league match to rest a couple of the banged up starters and helped some younger players gain some experience. It was total domination by the gators from the start. Matias "Nani" Tettamanti drew first blood with his first of 2 tries 8 minutes in. Man of the match Matias "Pepper" Groetaers followed with try at 17 minutes and scored 3 more tries during the game. Jason Lentz, Marcus Reuker, Reggie Wilson each scored one. Pepper only got credit for converting 5 of the tries.
Overall we played much better rugby, with great support from depth making the offloads look easy.
The Killer bees played the C team filled out with some Gainesville hogs and produced a great game for the spectators. The B team won 31-10 with scores from Ross, Mike "Top knot", Fernando "Help", Cory "Flipper", Kahlil, and James. I know I missed some names, and I'm sure I'll hear about it.
University of Florida 43 - University of Miami 12
Our season opener started out close, but at 25 minutes in, we broke the 12-12 tie and opened the flood gates. Try scorers were: Matias Tettamanti (2 tries), Casey Barnard (2 tries), Matias Groetaers (1 try 4 conversions), Brett Stubbs (1 try) and Cory Penca ( 1 try).
The Killer Bees came ready to play, skunking a full Miami B side 39-0. Try Scorers were: (Andrew Marcinko, Alan Marshall, Damion Dam, Mike Samurai Davis, Jordan Manning, Josh Nicdao, and Kahlil Harrison. Marcus Rueker converted two tries for 4 points.
Overall great showing with 40+ players traveling and many parents on the sideline supporting.
Enjoy these photos of the ame.
COACH'S WRAP FOR SPRING 2009
UF Rugby Coach Ken Simmons provides a brief summary of the games' highlights.
Tennessee 20 - University of Florida 19
January 3, 2009 - The gators lost a heartbreaker in Tennessee this weekend. Matias "Pepper" Groetaers started the scoring with two penalty kicks in the first 5 minutes. Both teams had great ball movement with a tight defense preventing scores until Tennessee won the kicking battle to score a try at the 34th minute. Pepper kicked two more penalty kicks, while Tennessee scored won to make the halftime score 12-10 Florida.
The second half was a great battle with UF taking the ball into the try zone three times only to be held up. Finally, after winning one of many rucks, a pass from Martin Spies to Alan Bebchik to Matias "Tina" Tettamanti to Ian "Ironman" Foster resulted in try in the corner. Pepper converted to make the score 19-10. Unfortunately, there were still ten minutes left in the game. Tennessee scored 3 points on a marginal obstruction call and scored a try 2 minutes later on broken play with one of the rare missed tackles of the day. They were able to convert to take the lead with less than 5 minutes left. Florida came close to responding, but could not penetrate the Tennessee defense. Final Score was Florida 10 Tennessee 20.
Be game was all Tennessee the first half with 31 points and Florida the second half with 15. We had 4 forwards playing in the backfield and were outmatch in the first half. We started controlling the ball in the second half and our forwards had their way with Tennessee. Overall a great performance for all that traveled.
High points of the game: 1- The backs were talking and marking the outside preventing Tennessee from scoring wide. 2 - Team discipline was on with very few penalties against Florida. 3 - The forwards dominated the scrums and the rucks. We were rucking past the ball and staying on our feet. 4 - Overall defense was excellent with only an occasional breakdown.
Things to work on: 1 - Our kick coverage was off. Although UT never scored on the counter, they were allowed too much time. 2 - We need to focus on getting clean ball out of scrums. Although we won the scrums hands down, the scrumhalf and flanker put too much pressure on Dave and Jake. 3 - We need to apply more defensive pressure on the centers. Pepper was coming up fast, but the back line was not flat, allowing the Tennessee backs some time to get going. 4 - We must score in the red zone. A pick and go over the try line should always result in a score.
University of Florida 27 - South Carolina 7
February 10, 2009 - Florida beat South Carolina 27-7 in what started out to be a close hard fought game. Half time score was 10-0. Matias "Pepper" Groetaers started the scoring with a penalty kick. Noah Walker scored a try under the post that was converted by Pepper. The second half showed the dominance of the Florida forwards as we maintained possession most of the half. Ben Walker and Matias "Tina" Tettamanti scored one try each. Pepper converted both tries and kicked another penalty kick. The determined South Carolina club scored a try near the end of the game to avoid the shut out. Final score was 27-7.
Arkansas State 34 - University of Florida 5
February 21, 2009 - The Gators drove 12+ hours to play No. 4 Arkansas State in the most miserable conditions we have seen in many years. It rained for 3-4 hours prior to game time before the temperature dropped to freezing. We were even exposed to snow flurries during the pre-game warm-up. The field was very sloppy resulting in some entertaining rugby with both teams having a hard time staying on their feet. Half time score was 10-5 ASU.
Florida's lone try was scored by Ben Walker. The second half was played against the wind, and ASU took full advantage to keep the pressure on and score another 24 points. Final score was 34-5. Although the mud soaked gators were suffering form early stages of hypothermia, they put on a valiant effort to force ASU to fight for every score they got.
The B game was played in similar conditions although the sun came out to make it look warm. Due to the shortage of players, Dave Meehan, Brett Stubbs and Cody Davidson played a second game to fill out the side. Final score was 22-5 with Chris Coleman getting his first try in the first half.
Overall, the ASU coaches were very impressed with UF. ASU had averaged 92 points per game their first 3 games. All of you should hold your heads up as this was a great display of rugby in spite of the conditions. We may be out of the hunt for sweet 16, but we can finish the season becoming the best UF team to date.
University of Florida 40 - Georgia 6
March 22, 2009 - It was another great weekend for Florida Rugby. The gators beat Georgia 40-6 in what started out to be a very close game. Florida’s 3 weeks off showed with the numerous miscues in the first few minutes. However, 10 minutes in, Ben Walker scored a try with a pass from Matias “Tina” Tettamanti on the “USA” play. Matias “Pepper” Groetaers converted. At 29 minutes Ben scored another try on gator counter ruck that saw 4 passes before Ben took in. Pepper converted again. Georgia picked up 3 points on a penalty at the ruck before Ben scored a third try on a long run. Half time score was 21-3.
Georgia started the second half strong, but could not cross the goal line. Tina scored a try on a 50 meter run that had several Georgia player picking up their jock straps when It was over. Dave Meehan followed with a try and Neal Dupree scored one at the end of the game. Pepper converted two of the tries. Georgia worked in another penalty kick to finish the game at 40-6.
The Killer Bees started off strong, but the inexperience showed against the Georgia B side. Georgia started the scoring 30 minutes in with an unconverted try. The gators responded with an Allan Marshal try on driving maul off a 5 meter lineout. Unfortunately Georgia piled on 4 unanswered tries by the end of the game Final score was 25-5 Georgia. On the plus side, numerous rookies got their first taste of rugby in this game. All in all, 29 players were healthy enough to get action yesterday. The recruiting is paying off. Keep it up!
GIVE BLOOD PLAY RUGBY
Today, we held a Blood Drive and car wash that totally blew away the LifeSouth staff. Thanks to organizer Ian Foster and the 30 or so players that came out to give blood and wash cars. Due to the number of donors, they had to call in extra staff and send some of our players to the other center to give blood. On top of that, we have another 10 or so that had to commit to giving on campus tomorrow or Tuesday. The unofficial count is 60 blood donors for the day. Clay from LifeSouth was very pleased and wants to set up a competition against Alabama, Auburn and a few other universities in the near future.
GREAT JOB GATOR RUGBY!
University of Florida 37 - North Carolina 10
Alumni 22 - UF Rubgy B Team 20
March 28, 2009 - Florida took third place in USA Rugby South this weekend with a victory over North Carolina. The gators started early with a score Ben Walker after a series of offloads. Jason Lentz followed with a try at 5 minutes in. Matias "Pepper" Groetaers was able to convert into the 25 mph wind. The North Carolina defense was able to stop the onslaught until Matias Tettamanti scored a try at the 30 minute mark. Cody Davidson scored just before the half to make the halftime score 22-0. The second half started the same with a score by Cory Penca 5 minutes in. However, North Carolina responded with a try 5 minutes later. Pepper was able to pick 3 points on a penalty kick before Dave Meehan scored our last try of the day half way through the half. North Carolina was able to put one more try in on a Florida miscue. Final score was 37-10.
The Killer Bees were honored to play the fired up alumni in a closely contested and spirited match. Somehow, the alumni won the coin toss and got the 25-30 mph winds to their backs. UF scored first, but the Alumni were able to take advantage of the extra wingers to respond and stay within reach the entire match. The final whistle was blown with the alumni down 20-17, but somehow, the Alumni got one last scrum 10 meters out and were able to score the game-winning try. Final score: 22-20 Alumni.
University of Florida 101 - Clemson 0
April 4, 2009 - The Gators finished the matrix season strong with a 101-nill victory over Clemson. The scoring started at 5 minutes in with a try from Corey Penca on a pass form Jason Lentz. Matias "Pepper" Groetaers converted for 2 more points. 11 minutes in Ben Walker scored the first of 5 his tries. This one was not converted. In the first half, Cory and Ben followed with another try each while Casey Barnard and Pepper scored one each in the half. Half time score was 40-nill.
The second half started with more of the same with a try by captain Dave Meehan two minutes in. Brett Stubbs followed with two tries, Matias "Tina" Tettamanti scored twice, Ben had three and Allan Marshall had one. Pepper converted all but two to make the final score 101-nill.
Overall it was a great team effort with unselfish play creating holes and space that we have never taken advantage of prior to this weekend. A total of fifteen tries were scored by eight different players.
See the story on American Rugby News: Florida Whips Clemson HOME