The Charlotte Tigers defeated Wando 15-7 to move to 2-0 in the new Mid-South Independent Rugby League (MSIRL).

This is the second time that the Tigers have defeated a defending state champ - Wando won South Carolina last spring, and the other team the Tigers beat, the East Cobb Trojans, were Georgia state champs last season.

The Tigers struck first with a penalty goal from flyhalf Jack Williams and it remained 3-0 through to halftime. Then, after concerted pressure from Charlotte, the Tigers got a five-meter scrum. They ran a move off that scrum, and then on second phase, loosehead prop Trey Reed powered over.

Wando got a try from Joe Griffin, converted by Charlie van Vliet, and that made it 8-7 for Charlotte.

The Tigers put the game away with an impressive run by captain and No. 8 Jonathan Rubin, who broke away from a lineout to gallop in for the score. Williams converted to secure the score at 15-7.

Charlotte was the better team at the breakdown, and poached several Wando possessions. For Wando Head Coach Tod Shepherd, this was the result of this being his teams first game of the season. Wando also was hampered by the fact that their all-star scrumhalf, Van Vliet, dislocated his finger in the opening minute. That injury certainly affected his pass, and then when flanker Owen McNulty left with a nasty cut, Wando had trouble putting it all together. Wando flanker Ben Wakser had a solid game, and Shepherd praised his team's defense despite the loss.