The much anticipated league matchup of Phoenix and Trojans took place at a dry but cold North Park on Friday evening. This was a re-match of the 2015 state championship game won narrowly by Phoenix in a thriller.

Both sides had strengthened rosters, Phoenix with the absorption of the Roswell club and Trojans with the absorption of Norsemen so the large number of attending spectators was expecting a very high standard of high school rugby from two storied Georgia programs. They certainly got it.

Trojans kicked off and exerted the early offensive pressure but were unable to convert this into points. The Trojans forwards appeared to be getting the better of the early rucking exchanges but on the 20 minute mark, the momentum sharply changed. Phoenix flyhalf, Mitch Blair, launched a monster kick downfield and speedy wing, Da’Mon Ingram, out jumped Trojans fullback Bryton Dickey to catch the ball and sprint between the posts. Full back Ollie Kennett duly converted to make it Phoenix 7, Trojans 0.

Two minutes later, Phoenix was on the board again. Phoenix worked the ball into the Trojans half with some strong forward carries from Campbell Robinson, Ben Fagg and Cristian Calvallo. Phoenix released their backs and center Chris Bagby broke the Trojans line before offloading to Ollie Kennett to score in the corner. The conversion was good to bring the Phoenix lead to 14 points.

Undeterred, Trojans came back at Phoenix but were denied through some final pass knock-ons. Then, speedy winger Davante Swann, gathered a Phoenix 22 meter drop out, lit the afterburners and blasted through three Phoenix tacklers to score. Flyhalf Shea O’Hanlon was wide with the conversion to but the score had been narrowed to 14 to 5.

On the stroke of half time, following some pressure, Trojans conceded a penalty that was duly converted by Phoenix ---- the half closed with the score Phoenix 17, Trojans 5.

The second half mirrored the first with both sides displaying both attacking and defense proficiency. The only clear scoring opportunity was a rare penalty miss by Ollie Kennett for Phoenix. The scrums contest appeared to be an even match up while the laser-like throwing of Trojans hooker Cam Tibbetts gave Trojans the edge in this area of play. However, the real difference between the sides on the night was the performance of the Phoenix backs both in offence and defense. The final and clinching try of the game was one such example. Phoenix center Chris Bagby crucially cut through the Trojans line on a long break before passing to a supporting Buni Amobi who offloaded in the tackle to Cameron Robinson for a great combination try. Phoenix again added the conversion to bring the score to Phoenix 24, Trojans 5.

That score really sealed the game as a contest and a final narrow penalty miss from Ollie Kennett for Phoenix was the only subsequent scoring opportunity of note. Final score Phoenix 24, Trojans 5.

Two good teams contested this game and it was a fair and clean encounter throughout with some terrific rugby on display. The teams will meet again later in the season and Trojans will relish the opportunity at the rematch.

In other varsity division action the Titans United RFC beat the Barbarians of East Cobb 78-0.

Only one JV match was played in Week 2.  The Titans United RFC hosted the Barbarian RFC.  The Barbarians stormed out to a 19-0 halftime lead, only to see the Titans respond with three scores of their own in the second half to deadlock the score at 19.  The Barbarians responded with the winning try late in the half to seal a 24-19 win.