The Charlotte Tigers moved to 3-0 in MSIRL with an 18-3 defeat of Georgia-based Phoenix.

In this Mid-South Independent Rugby League, the Tigers have defeated three major out-of-state opponents in the opening weeks. In this game, Charlotte's defense was the star, as Phoenix got inside the Tiger 22 several times but was unable to convert that pressure into tries.

In the first half, Charlotte took the lead with a good series og phases culminating in HS All American prop Trey Reed going over. Flyhalf Jack Williams converted for the 7-0 lead. Williams added a penalty and that ended the first-half scoring with a 10-0 Charlotte advantage. In the second half, Phoenix put pressure on Charlotte, got a penalty, and took the three points to make it 10-3.

But that was it for the Georgia team, and Williams answered quickly with a penalty. Then Tigers captain and No. 8 Jonathan Robin capped off a well-organized maul by peeling off and charging over the line for the game-sealing try.

Williams slots another kick. Lisa Law photo.

Williams was crucial for Charlotte in this tight game, not only logging points with his boot, but consistently getting his team out of truble with his kicking from hand.

Charlotte and Alpharetta made a day of it, with a JV game (won by Charlotte 21-0) and a middle school clash (Charlotte 35 Phoenix 7), and plenty of North Carolina BBQ after the games.

Here are the latest MSIRL Standings: