Georgia's Phoenix club battled through for a 30-26 win over Columbia Area (aka Irmo) in the third game of the Mid-South Independent Rugby League (MSIRL) this weekend.

In a game played in good conditions after some rough winter weather in the region in previous days, neither team could pull too far ahead.

Phoenix in red, Columbia Area in gray. Buster Kennett photos.

Phoenix opened the scoring with a penalty from Ollie Kennett after 10 minutes. Columbia Area immediately replied with an unconverted try, but Phoenix replied with a try from lock Kyle Rogers, which Kennett converted. Kennett continued to reward Phoenix pressure and slotted two close-range penalties for a 16-5 lead. But Columbia Area would not go away and their forwards plowed over for a try near halftime to make it 16-12.

The second half was played in similar fashion to the first, with Columbia Area scoring first to take the lead at 16-17. Phoenix, despite losing 3 starters to injury, replied with converted tries from flanker Griffin Tucker and prop JB Favors. That made it 30-21. Columbia Area battled back, and made it to the tryline only to be shoved into touch just before scoring. They kept up the pressure, but they needed to score twice. Instead it was one try, and Phoenix held on 30-26.

"We are pleased to win what was a grueling contest with a physically powerful team," Phoenix Coach Niall Fenton said. "Irmo played a strong and very clean game and their players are a credit to their coaches. As for Phoenix, we are a very young team but we continue to improve with every game." 

Phoenix will play Greenville next week prior to their next MSIRL game against old rivals Charlotte Tigers at North Park.

Latest standings in the MSIRL: