Charlotte Tigers Impress at Carolina Ruggerfest
Charlotte Tigers Impress at Carolina Ruggerfest
The Charlotte Tigers kicked off their season in impressive fashion at the Carolina Ruggerfest, overcoming early-season challenges to secure three dominant victories. With only three practices under their belt before taking the field, the Tigers displayed resilience and determination throughout the weekend.
In their opening match, the Tigers faced a tough Richmond Strikers squad. Despite some early-season attacking miscues, Charlotte controlled the game, securing a 27-5 victory. Captain Jameson Beatty led from the front, scoring two tries, while outside center Zachary Cullen notched his first try of the season. Forwards Brody Evans and Reid Johannes each powered over the line in the second half to seal the win.
The second match saw the Tigers take on St. Xavier out of Ohio. A couple of costly mistakes put them behind early, with an intercepted pass and a charged-down kick leading to two tries for St. Xavier. However, the Tigers quickly regrouped.
Beatty got things started with a try, followed by back-to-back scores from junior wing William Taylor. At halftime, team leaders emphasized mental toughness and tactical adjustments, which led to an offensive explosion in the second half. Beatty and Evans each added two more tries, while Cullen scored his second of the weekend, propelling the Tigers to a commanding 44-14 win.
On Sunday, the Tigers faced Key Biscayne, a highly ranked team with impressive early-season results, including a victory over Okapi. The Tigers delivered their most complete performance of the tournament, shutting out Key Biscayne 29-0. Beatty opened the scoring before Cullen took the ensuing kickoff 70 meters for his third try of the weekend. Lock Aaron Harrell added his first try of the season to close out the first half. In the second half, backs Jackson Wilson and Cullen each crossed the line to secure the shutout victory.
Head coach Jason Paquette praised the team's attacking progress while noting that early-season execution errors cost them additional scoring opportunities. He also commended the Tigers’ stellar defensive performance throughout the weekend, crediting key contributions from hooker John Teli, lock Xavier Flowe, and the Flemings twins—No. 8 Nick and center Jack.
With a successful start to the season, the Charlotte Tigers have set the tone for what promises to be an exciting campaign ahead.
