Phoenix Alpharetta opened their 2023 season with a new Head Coach and a victory.
New to Alpharetta Phoenix this season is Head Coach Erik Saxon, who made a non-rugby-related move from Charlotte to Atlanta last Summer. He joined an already stellar coaching staff and fine small core group of returning players along with a crop of players brand new to rugby.
The new-look season kicked off against Greer out of South Carolina.
First half of the match was back-and-forth. Phoenix played their structure well and chipped away at Greer—nothing fancy, but effective nonetheless. Greer was able to answer both of Phoenix's first two tries in short order with a pair of blocked exit kicks. Both of them were scooped up and taken in for tries. Greer would add a third try in the first half, with one of those tries converted, while the Georgia team matched them with two converted tries and a penalty goal. Halftime score: 17-17.
