Highlanders Rugby, Chapel Hill Make it 5 In A Row - North Carolina U19 Rugby State Championship Final, Saturday May 8th 2010

The Highlanders of Chapel Hill were looking to add to their four consecutive U19 State Championships in a league that has become progressively more competitive. Head Coach Robert Joseph commented,”Season 2010 was expected to be a challenging one for the club, having graduated twenty seniors from the very successful 2009 team. In addition only five of the starting fifteen in this final game played regular A-Side rugby in 2009, with three of the starters playing their first ever season of rugby”.



So in 90 degree heat on Saturday at Raleigh Rugby Club, The Highlanders took the field to face Vance Cabarrus Gold, the only North Carolina team to have beaten them in the last three seasons in league play. The teams had contested a very close game on the opening day of the season on February 20th at Cedar Falls Park, with VC Gold edging it by 17:11.

From the kick-off, VC Gold immediately took the game to the Highlanders and despite solid defense, with the Highlanders relieving pressure from their line a number of times, VC Gold’s efforts were rewarded on 10 minutes by an unconverted try to give them a 5-0 lead.

The Highlanders were unphased by this early score and stuck to their game plan, and shortly after, a trademark flowing attack yielded an Arthur Wagner try, which he also converted, to make the score 7-5 on 15 minutes.




Five minutes later the Highlanders added a second try with Jonathan Marshall touching down following some dynamic rucking by the forwards. Wagner converted to extend the Highlanders lead to 14-5. “We knew this year that our forward pack would be one of the smallest in the league. What this meant for us was that we had to capitalize on our superior fitness and mobility, which enabled us to win quick ruck ball through multiple phases” added Coach Joseph.







As half-time approached, VC Gold re-exerted their early pressure, keeping the Highlanders pinned in their 22. As had become their trademark during the last month of the season, the Highlanders were able to thwart VC Gold’s efforts through strong scrummaging, tackling and a very well organized ruck defence. The score at half-time was, Highlanders 14 - VC Gold 5

“During the half-time talk, we stressed the need to stick to our structured game plan as well as the imperative to start strong, because we knew our opponents would be keen to close the gap early in the half”, said Coach Joseph.

From the re-start, the Highlanders pack got deep into the VC Gold half and exerted their own pressure through multiple phases of dynamic rucking, creating the opportunity for scrum-half Tim Torres to score from short-range in the corner. Score: Highlanders 19 – VC Gold 5.

Just as it seemed that the Highlanders were controlling the game, VC Gold hit back with a converted try resulting from a scrum in the Highlanders 22, to cut the deficit to only seven points.

Remembering how the first game against VC Gold ended with a decisive late score, the Highlanders immediately resumed their attacking intent. Running from deep in their 22, the ball was moved wide quickly to one of the new Highlanders, Jaimee Reid (Trinity High School), who used his pace and physique to devastating effect in a seventy meter break. This set up possession deep in the VC Gold 22, and a quick tap penalty from Sebastian Torres and deft handling enabled fly-half Willem Prins to touchdown under the posts. Wagner again converted to extend the Highlanders’ cushion to 26- 12.



Before anyone could catch their breath, Jonathan Marshall set up the Highlanders’ decisive try that was finished by Chris Jaques. Coach Joseph describes the action, “…from deep inside our own half we won quick, clean ball and attacked through USA Eagle center Jonathan Marshall, who beat 3 or 4 defenders before offloading back inside to the forwards who were in prime support positions.....



....a series of great supporting plays with perfectly timed off loads had the VC Gold defence in disarray and the backs then rejoined the play moving the ball through multiple set of hands for Chris Jaques to score in the corner. This great example of flowing rugby brought our large group of Highlanders alumni (and parents) in attendance to their feet to celebrate one of the best tries we have ever scored in our seven year history.”



This took the score to 31:12. However the Highlanders were not about to ease up with a quarter of the game left, and some quick thinking and reaction-play gave Marshall a clear run at the line. The final score was Highlanders 36: Vance Cabarrus Gold 12.

So the Highlanders capped-off another memorable season with their fifth consecutive North Carolina U19 Championship.

Coach Joseph closed by summing up the year: “2010 was a watershed year for the club. We knew we had to recruit aggressively this year and through the efforts of our seniors, led in particular by Robert Jordan (CHHS) and Kent ‘Scottie’ Mackman (ECHHS), we were able to bring in 20 new players, all of whom played a significant role in the team’s success. We also strengthened our coaching staff over the winter with the addition of three new coaches. I would like to thank all the players, coaches and families for their dedication and support this year. It was a great season and the boys got the victory they truly deserved in today’s state championship final.”


Match summary and analysis by Robert Joseph and Richard Jordan, photography by Emily Prins.


Highlanders Rugby, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is a youth rugby club based in the town of Chapel Hill in North Carolina, USA. The club was founded in the fall of 2003 by Robert Joseph and Robert Futch and played its first High School season in spring 2004. The High School A and B sides compete in the North Carolina Youth Rugby (NCYR) club conference. Season 2009 saw the Highlanders field their first U15 and U13 tackle teams under the leadership of Coach Robert Futch. The U15 Highlanders played for the state title in their first year. The Highlanders also continue to run touch rugby for boys and girls of all ages throughout the year.

The Highlanders U19s have achieved many milestones since the club's inception. Season 2010 saw the team complete “5 in a row” as U19 NC State Champions The club has played in 7 State finals, 4 South Championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2010), National Championships (2005, 2009) and has supplied a large number of players to the North Carolina All Stars. Over 20 of the club's players have also benefited from attending USA Rugby development and selection camps, with 2 players making the USA U17/U18 Eagle teams in 2008 and 2009. This exposure to elite level rugby through the All Stars and USA Rugby programs has been pivotal in the Highlanders success.

Sunday, May 2nd: North Carolina State Championship - Semi-Final

Just fifteen days after their 24-24 drawn game in Charlotte, the Highlanders faced Union County Lions in 90 degree heat at Cedar Falls Park to contest the semi-final of the State Championship.

As previously, this was a hard-fought contest, with posession and territory shared for the first twelve minutes, but a quickly taken Highlanders kick led to a Jonathan Marshall try under the posts in the 13th minute. Arthur Wagner converted to make it Highlanders 7, Lions 0.



The Highlanders treated the crowd to a strong first half performance with the backs scoring a further four tries through Marshall, Wagner, Sebastian Torres and Matt Leary. Willem Prins and Wagner alternated the kicking duties, and the half-time score was Highlanders 31, Lions 0.




The second half saw a better team performance from the Lions who broke the Highlanders line twice, and could have had at least two more, but for some strong Highlanders defensive work.

With eight minutes left and the score standing at Highlanders 31, Lions 12, Sebastian Torres had a try disallowed.

With just three minutes remaining on the clock, a flowing Highlanders move was stopped by a dangerous tackle, and the referee awarded the Highlanders a Penalty Try, which Prins converted, to leave the final score, at the last home Highlanders game: Highlanders 38, Union County Lions 12.

The final game of the season for the State Championship takes place on Saturday May 8th, against Vance Cabarrus Gold in Raleigh.


Match report and pictures by Richard Jordan

South Championship Match: Chapel Hill Highlanders v Alpharetta Phoenix

In bright and blustery conditions, the Highlanders walked over to Furman University's Roberts Rugby Field to take on Alpharetta Phoenix of Fulton County, Georgia for the 2010 U19 South Championship at 1.30 on Sunday afternoon.

Playing with the wind and sun at their backs, the Highlanders received the ball from the kick-off and immediately were into their game, however it was Alpharetta who opened the scoring after 7 minutes with an unconverted try: Highlanders 0, Alpharetta 5.

Just 3 minutes later the Highlanders' presssure won them a penaly which Arthur Wagner scored from 48 meters with the precision of a marksman. Highlanders 3, Alpharetta 5. They had a chance to kick themselves into a one point lead on the 16th minute, but Wagner's kick went just wide.

Alpharetta's resulting posession play led to a try under the posts, which was easily converted to widen the margin to nine points: Highlanders 3, Alpharetta 12.

The Highlanders went right back deep into Alpharetta territory and won another penalty, which again sailed wide of the uprights.

The vocal North Carolina supporters, (which sportingly for this game included the players, coach and followers of The Union County Lions), did not have long to wait, as Jonathan Marshall ran in the first Highlanders try on 26 minutes to make the score; Highlanders 8, Alpharetta 12.

Alpharetta stepped up a gear for the rest of the half, and mounted a series of close range attacks within 22 meters of the Highlanders' line. This paid off just on the stroke of half-time when a converted Alpharetta try widend the lead to eleven points; Highlanders 8, Alpharetta 19.

In the second half the Highlanders were playing into the wind, and had a more even share of the posession and territory as they set about overturning the eleven point deficit.

The scores remained unchanged for virtually all of the second half, with both teams missing an opportunity to score 3-point kicks. Alpharetta scored their final try with 4 minutes to go, but failed to convert.

At the death, Sebastian Torres scored a scorching breakaway try to make the score Highlanders 13, Alpharetta 24.

So with the final whistle it was the turn of Alpharetta Phoenix to represent the South Region at the National Championships in Salt Lake City in May.



While understandably disappointed, all concerned with Chapel Hill Highlanders Rugby congratulate Alpharetta Phoenix as well as Single School Champions, Charlotte Catholic, on their wins and wish them both well as they compete with the best in the nation next month.

Meanwhile the Highlanders are focused on the State Championship semi-final, and another match against the Union County Lions on May 2nd at Cedar Falls Park in Chapel Hill.

Saturday Evening: Seafood, Song .... and Feet

After Saturday's game against Spring Valley, the players, coaches and supporters dried out, changed and headed off to a local seafood restaurant in Easley. Following dinner, the Seniors (and there are a lot of them this season!) serenaded the various Team Moms with a "unique" version of a song from the Lion King, "Can you feel the love tonight?"
We certainly did ...... and you too can relive the moment when ever you wish. So what about the feet reference? You'd have to ask a Coach about that...

Video courtesy of Coach Carl Dornan and photograph courtesy of Team Manager Carlos Torres. Verbal ramblings via Blackberry from our designated Driver, Richard Jordan!

Game 2: Highlanders vs. Spring Valley (SC)

Having beaten the top seed in the first game of the day, the Highlanders had to wait until 5.30 to face Spring Valley from South Carolina, who had earlier narrowly beaten a spirited VC Gold side after extra time.

During the day much rain fell over Furman, but the pitch held up extremely well throughout the afternoon.



Any concerns about this game being dominated by forwards playing a traditional English-style game (keeping and endlessly recycling the ball through multiple phases), were dispelled after 2 minutes when Sebastian Torres capped a fluid move by touching down. Arthur Wagner converted, to make it 7:0.

As the Highlanders imposed their territorial superiority, Ian Toth was quickest to react to a fumbled  Spring Valley scrum and grounded the ball on 11 minutes. Wagner converted for the second time - 14:0.

On 15 minutes Jonathon Marshall burst through the Spring Valley line to score between to the posts, and with the third Wagner conversion the scoreboard read 21:0.

With a minute left in the half, Dallas Owens scored an impressive try from a Highlanders lineout. Half-time and the scoreboard read 26:0.

The second half saw a number of player rotations as the Highlanders large squad came into its own and within one minute of the re-start, the damp but delerious crowd was treated to a classic Highlanders try.
The ball was spun out to the wing and Chris Jacques rounded a superb move off to make it 31:0.

With 8 minutes to go Tim Torres increased the margin further to 36:0, and the Highlanders sealed an impressive performance with an additional converted penalty slotted home by Sebastian Torres. Final score: Highlanders 39: Spring Valley 0.



The Highlanders play for the title and the right to represent the South at the National tournament in Salt Lake City, tomorrow afternoon. Their opponents will be Georgia's Alpharetta Phoenix.

Photos and Notes on this game transmitted from under a big umbrella via Blackberry by Richard Jordan.

2010 Souths! Game 1: Highlanders vs. Chapin (SC)

Early morning showers at Furman University left a wet surface on the Roberts Rugby Field.

Highlanders (seeded 4) were first up against 5th seeded Chapin, the top South Carolina team in a game of 2 twenty minute halves.

Chapin kicked off and immediately had the Highlanders under pressure, winning a penalty that Chapin missed after 2 minutes.


On 4 minutes Highlanders got a penalty that Arthur Wagner converted from a difficult angle to take a 3:0 lead.



In a tense first half, possession and territory were evenly matched with the Highlanders steadily exerting pressure, resulting in another penalty on 15 minutes. From 40 meters, Wagner converted to make it 6:0.



Chapin started a period of concerted pressure in the Highlanders 22, but thanks to stout defending the score remained unchanged at half-time.

5 minutes after the re-start the Highlanders got another penalty closer to the posts but the Wagner's kick drifted wide.

Another period of Chapin pressure and strong Highlander defence followed with Chapin even opting to run a kickable penalty during this phase of the game.



16 minutes into the half the Highlanders had another opportunity to go nine points clear, but again Wagner's kick just missed the uprights.

A sustained period of Chapin pressure followed, but the Highlanders resisted and proceeded into the next round where they will play either Spring Valley from South Carolina or VC Gold, the team they narrowly lost to on the first day of the season.


Head Coach Robert Joseph said; "a real nail-biter against a very capable Chapin team, but resolute defence and discipline won the day".



Notes on this game transmitted by Blackberry from our expert and reliable correspondent on the field Richard Jordan! Photographs by Emily Prins and WebMastery by Jan Prins. Click images for larger versions.

Highlanders 2010 Rugby season finally underway

The Highlanders Youth Rugby Club of Chapel Hill kicked off its 2010 season late last month with an afternoon feast of U13 and U15 games as well as the NC Under-19 league fixture against state rival Vance Cabarrus Gold.

Recent wintry weather effectively delayed the season opener by three weeks, but the club started its seventh season in perfect conditions on a full-sized pitch at Cedar Falls Park in Chapel Hill, complete with proper rugby posts, bought by the HRC and installed by the town.

VC Gold started aggressively and scored an unconverted try after 5 minutes. Highlanders soon found their rhythm, and pulled the score back to 3-5 thanks to a Willem Prins penalty. Gold stretched their lead off an interception and still led 10-8 despite a try in the 29th minute by HRC's Sebastian Torres.

The visitors spent nearly 25 minutes with 14 men on the field, with the referee enforcing tight discipline for dangerous play and other infringements. Despite the numerical advantage, it wasn't until the 59th minute that the Highlanders were able to take a one-point lead, thanks to another Prins penalty kick. That score remained until 3 minutes before the end, when a spirited VC Gold attack breached the Highlanders defense for a try under the posts, which the visitors duly converted. The final score: Vance Cabarrus Gold 17, Highlanders 11.

"It was a tough game yesterday but there's lots of good learning that we can take away," said HRC coach Robert Joseph. "It was good to see the boys playing at last and there were a lot of positives too. One of these is that we had four new players -- Ian Toth, Gordon Morris, Matt Leary and Stephen Belch -- get significant game time which is great."

Perhaps just as great for the HRC was the goal posts, said Joseph. "We're very grateful to Butch Kasiah, Susie Whaley and Bernard Leach, who we worked with to install the posts."

-- Richard Jordan