The Nashville Grizzlies Gay Rugby team won its second game of the season and first home game this Saturday, March 11. The Grizzlies hosted the Charlotte Royals gay rugby team and the score was 49-22.
The Grizzlies dominated from the second phase of the first half when Tavarus Taylor made a run on the try zone before passing to Michael Moore to score the try. Michael and Tavarus would both one more try each with Tavarus scoring his second try with an assist from Jay.
Tries were also scored by TC Smoots (his first as a Grizzly), Aaron Ramsey, Sammy and Cori Crawford. Cori and Aaron converted one try each.
The Grizzlies have been making a major push to recruit and train new players. The team had 38 players at the team warm up and the coaching staff made an effort to give as much playing time to new or inexperienced players as possible.
Dalton Slattery was awarded 'Rookie of the Match,' a new award created to recognize contributions from new players and part of a season-long push to improve recruitment and retention. Chris Ursery was awarded ‘Back of the Match,’ Aaron Ramsey was awarded ‘Forward of the Match’ and Cori was awarded ‘Man of the Match.’
Tavarus was awarded a one time only ‘Directionally Challenged’ award for carrying the ball out the back twice – the try zone for the next field was adjacent and the field markings were not especially visible after the snow melt earlier that day.
The Grizzly’s next game is this Saturday in Clarksville against the Hopkinsville Head Hunters. The game is at Liberty Park ( 1188 Cumberland Dr) at 1 pm. The next fundraiser is a Beer Bust at Tribe on March 24 from 8 – 11 pm.
Thanks to John Lee and Tyler Perfitt for helping with game stats again this week.
Photo (L to R): Tavarus Taylor, Dalton Slattery, Cori Crawford, Aaron Ramsey, and Chris Ursery, photographed by Jerod Smith