The Providence Rugby Club defeated South Meck 22-18 to win the “State Plate” at Rocky River High School. The win avenged an earlier regular-season loss and assured Providence 3rd Place in the NC High School Rugby Association. After starting off the season hot, with four consecutive wins, injuries mounted and the team suffered three losses. With their backs against the wall, needing a win or tie to secure a playoff spot, they tied Phillip O’ Berry Academy and were set to play the #1 seed, Hough High School, in the first round of the playoffs.
Hough proved to be too much for Providence though, beating them 41-24 in a match that saw injuries and penalties mount for both teams. Providence, would now have to face South Mecklenburg High School, a team that had beaten them by 30 points earlier in the season, for 3rd in the state. Even though they were discouraged by the loss at Hough, and anxious about re-playing a team they had lost to greatly before, they were finally rested up and 100% as a team. They fought hard until the final whistle and beat South Meck by 4 points to repeat as 3rd in the state.
Any student with a 2.0 GPA can join the Rugby club. All of our budget is 100% supplied by dues, sponsorship and fundraising. Our major sponsor is Harris Teeter’s TIE program. Please ask your cashier to link your VIC Card to # 7697 . There is no cost for you to participate. Thank you for your support. Forms are on our website at www.panthersrugby.com or email Carl Samford at carl.samford@cms.k12.nc.us .