Rugby Georgia kicked off the Spring 2019 season with a pair of high school boys matches and one U16 match. 

Kickoff weekend also saw multiple U14 matches and Rookie Rugby events at the U10 and below age groups.

In U19 HS boys action played on Friday evening, the 2018 Champion Phoenix Rugby Club hosted the Etowah River Valley Rugby Club and the Roswell Rebels hosted the East Cobb Trojans.  

The defending champions took control from the opening kick-off, with Jack Lavelle scoring from two meters out for a 7-0 lead (conversion good). Etowah played a physical first half but could not shut down the Phoenix as Justice Reeder and Preston Greenlee were able to score. The hosts would take a 17-0 lead going into the break. 

In the second half the Phoenix opened up the scoring, capitalizing on mistakes and Etowah’s struggles to get out of their own end of the pitch.  Three Phoenix players - Rafael Kennett, Blake Bibb, and Mateo Podesta - would find the try zone before the final whistle.  Final Phoenix 36 – Etowah 0

The second U19 match of the evening pitted the Roswell Rebels against the East Cobb Trojans.  The two squads are very familiar with each other and currently share a practice facility.  This evening was also very special for the Rebels as it was their first match at the U19 level. Roswell scored in the opening minutes of the match as flanker Keshawn Lawrence went over; the conversion from Walker Clark was successful.  The Rebels were able to contain East Cobb inside of their own 22 which led to the second try of the match, this time by Trevor Graham. East Cobb’s Kordaan Ellis scored his team’s first try of the young season, followed by a score by Vlad Sotnikov.  The teams went into the halftime break with Roswell leading 12-10.  The second half remained scoreless until late in the match when Rebels prop Tyler Pearce went over to seal it for Roswell.  Final – Roswell 17 – East Cobb 10.

There was only one match in U16 action, withPhoenix hosting AYR (Atlanta Youth Rugby).  The defending champs opened the scoring early and never let up en route to a 45-0 victory.  The Phoenix was led by Kyle Warmack’s hat-trick, two scores by Dane Nelson, and five conversions by Sebastin Kennett.