The Carolina Ruggerfest concluded over the weekend and we will deviate from our usual fence-sitting to tell you it is a really, really well-run tournament.

From how hard the referees work to keeping it on schedule, from the fields to the amenities, concessions, and space for the players, it was well run and showcased some impressive rugby.

For many teams this is either a season opener or a pause between the Carolinas school season and the club season—either way, this meant there would be mistakes, communication issues, and all the growing pains of clubs putting things together. Nevertheless, some teams looked quite polished.

Youth

Teams in U10 and U12 brackets competed with 15 clubs from five states sending teams in the two brackets. Local team Matthews Sharks did very well in U10 as did the Clayton Copperheads. Georgia had a strong showing in the U12s, but Clayton was once again very impressive.

In the Middle School Boys bracket saw Key Biscayne and Charlotte Cardinals look strong.

Girls

Working to get all the pieces put together the girls teams had their moments, but didn't use the width of the full-sized fields at the Matthews Sportsplex. The Charlotte Cardinals looked impressive and athletic, as expected, but ran up against a polished and structured Badger Academy team out of Wisconsin. The Cardinals went 3-1, losing only to the Badgers 17-10. The Wisconsinites finished 4-0. Three teams from Ohio competed, getting some much-needed competition in warm weather. 

Perhaps a bit of a surprise team was Wando, which beat Morris (an upset to GRR if no one else) and beating Brunswick, Raleigh Redhawks, and Tribe as well.

Boys

Four points showed exceedingly well in the JV Boys bracket with a 54-14 win over Neuqua and a 53-5 win over Loudoun.

In the Varsity bracket, the Charlotte Cardinals vs Key Biscayne game was perhaps the most fun to watch. Key Biscayne's open approach was certainly entertaining and the Rats were 3-1 in the JV bracket and 2-1 in the Varsity bracket.

"We come from an Argentine background so we're comfortable moving the ball and we always try to be there and open the game," said Axel Nino with the Rats. 

"We are willing to take a risk and make that extra pass," added Martin Gentile. "And if there's space, we go."

"Last time we came here we won so we wanted to do that again," added Baustista Tedin. "But we played the Cardinals and they're a very good team, physical, and we tried our best but they won."

And so they did, beating Raleigh Redhawks, Four Points out of the Austin, Texas area, and Key Biscayne. Neither got to face the Charlotte Tigers, but the Tigers also went 3-0, and Greer 76ers came up with a win over Maryland Exiles. Richmond Strikers went 2-0-1.

Carolina Ruggerfest Scores