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.