Naples @ South Championships

Naples Bears Rugby Club advance to the final round of the USA South National Rugby Championship Finals

After capturing the second straight Florida State Title Championship in a row the Naples Bears Rugby club advanced to the USA Rugby South National Championship where they would face off against the very best teams from five other states for a total of six teams . The winner covets the USA Rugby South Championship title and advance to the sweet sixteen final USA Rugby National Championship Finals held at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire on May 19 and 20th.

The Bears advanced last year as a first year team and were defeated in the first round of play. This year however, presented a different picture as the second year team had gained tremendous experience over the last season and were ready to elevate their level of play.The team set out mid day on Friday from Naples by van with 28 teammates , coaches and a host of fans that have supported the team all season. The destination venue was Columbus Georgia where they were slated for their first game against Brother Martin High School from New Orleans, Louisiana who soundly beat them a year prior, on Saturday at 12:00 PM and then a second match against Pineville - Mathews of North Carolina.

The weather was cloudy and windy and the temperature was in the low 70's , great for an afternoon of rugby. The team arrived at the pitch a couple of hours early to settle in , scout the possible future competition and get ready for the match. As the time approached you could sense the butterflies and excitement of the teams desire to make their statement for the sport of Rugby and the state of Florida.

Brother Martin versus Naples Bears

As the whistle blew and play ensued the Bears came out in their aggressive style of play and within the first two minutes of play made their first score of the afternoon. The play was off a loose ruck on the 50 meter line of Brother Martin. Shane Young ( scrum-half ) called for the ball from the forwards. He pitched it out to Steve Kinsland ( fly-half ) who in turn ran it and threw the ball out to Mike Apple ( inside center ) who then quickly passed it out to outside center Brandon Pierson who had a strong 25 meter run before getting stopped only to gain the support of Ryan Young playing flanker who then took the ball from B. Pierson and ran into the try zone for the score. The conversion kick by Cosmin Plavita playing fullback was good.

Play restarted with Brother Martin kicking off to Naples and they immediately went back to work. As they advanced the ball up field the ball exchanged hands several times , however, a knock -on caused a set scrum to Naples. The forwards won the ball and S. Young got the ball out on a crash play to R. Young, who filled in with the backs and R. Young swiftly passed the ball to Kinsland , who got it out to B. Pierson who ran hard up the middle giving a dummy pass move keeping the ball and got into the try zone for the score. The conversion kick was good by Plavita.

The two scores were within minutes of each other and visably threw Brother Martin into an unsettled play. As play continued, the Bears maintained control of the ball after the kick off and drove down the pitch when the ball was delivered once again by the forwards in loose play when the ball got out to Mike Apple who gave it out to a supporting Steve Kinsland who ran forward with Apple looping in support when Kinsland passed back to Apple and Kinsland continued his support and looped again and Apple gave a dump pass back to Kinsland who then went to the try zone for the score. Ryan Young took the conversion kick and was good.

Later, as play began from restart a ruck had formed on the far side of the field and Johnny Jacques ( wing ) maintained possession as S. Young came onto position called for the ball and pitched it out to S. Kinsland who then by-passed the centers with a strong pass out to the wing Hector De La Rosa who ran the ball in for the score on the far side of the pitch. The attempted conversion by C. Plavita was no good.

With Brother Martin a little shell socked from quick play by Naples they did not let up on the pressure. The ball was in play and Naples fullback Cosmin Plavita filled in with the backs and became part of broken down play in a ruck. Plavita got the ball to Kinsland who passed to B. Pierson who then tossed it back to a looping and supporting Plavita who was able to get it to looping Kinsland before getting tackled . As Kinsland was stopped and went to ground a fast maneuver by supporting scrum-half S. Young picked up the ball from a early forming ruck ran weak side toward the sideline and brought the ball in for the score. The conversion attempt by R. Young was no good.

As play continued and Naples continued to dominate play with great rucking and controlling the mauls from the forwards to get the play to the backs the team just kept pressure up and played text book rugby. The backs also continued to gel as a unit and marched down the pitch one more time. As a set scrum took place near mid- field S. Young passed the ball out to S. Kinsland who then threw the ball to the weak side wing Johnny Jacques who ran on the inside between the backs and the forwards. He then turned for support and the forwards as a pack answered with tremendous support. The ruck formed and S. Young called for a hammer play and hooker Dominick Romano got the call. He had a tremendous run while the rest of the forwards came in for support and sealed the ball for delivery. The Young brothers sprang into action as flanker R. Young came into the maul stripped the ball and fed it to S. Young who then ran to the left side of the pack and flipped it back to his supporting brother Ryan who then with a burst of speed ran for the try line and scored. The conversion attempt by R. Young was no good.

Brother Martin never giving up fought back and after kick off gained control of the ball and gave it a strong kick to the Bears 10 meter line. After a penalty call Martin tapped through the mark and barged in the far right corner of the pitch for their first score of the game. The conversion kick was no good.

As the half was drawing to end the Bears put on one more drive when Martin Spies took the ball on a kick had a twenty meter run and passed off to R. Young who brought the ball to ground for a ruck. Brother Shane came and picked it up ran he ball for about 10 meters drawing defenders to him while passing off to an oncoming S. Kinsland who ran the ball in for a score. The conversion by C. Plavita was good closing out the first half with a score of Brother Martin 5 - Naples 43.

The second half showed an entirely different game as the Brother Martin team showed up to play and the Naples Bears went to sleep. The Bears were held scoreless the entire second half. They came close to a couple of score and fell short by being penalized several times. The game seemed much more balanced and it was after the first 15 minutes that several substitutions were made on the Bears side.

Brother Martin adjusted there game plan and came out with energy the second half. Their flyhalf had the ball down in Bear territory and in the first ten minute of play was on about the 20 meter line when he was dead center and dropped kicked the ball for a score.

When the ball was kicked back into play and Brother Martin wanted to advance the ball they kicked to Naples and took the ball and ran it up field and took it out of touch. A line-out was taken and won by Brother Martin who then got the ball out to all of their backs who advanced the ball into the try zone of Naples for another score. The conversion attempt failed.

Play continued as the ball exchanged hands several times during this period. Naples play was not the same this half as they drew many penalties unlike the first half. Brother Martin was able to capitalize on several of the mistakes of Naples. It was late in the second half that Brother Martin had the from a penalty called on Naples and they tapped through the mark and got the ball to the backs who had a good run and scored another try. The conversion kick was no good and the game came to an end. The final score was Brother Martin 18 - Naples 43 Final.

Players that scored :
Ryan Young..........2 try's
Steve Kinsland .....2 try's
Brandon Pierson....1 try
Hector De La Rosa..1 try
Shane Young............1 try
Cosmin Plavita ........3 conversion for 6 points
Ryan Young .......1 conversion for 2 points

Coach's Comments :
The first half was an awesome display of good fundamental rugby. Something we have worked on all season. You displayed rolling mauls and sealed the rucks and had great hammers from the forwards. The backs supported each other passed and supported. It was a text book example of play. Both props Victor " Beef " Gibbs and Phil " Pukie " Colon had a great day at dominating the scrums and Pukie had some fierce hits on some of the Brother Martin players. Dominick Romano won all of his hooks and supported in many of the hammers. Martin Spies had a great support day protecting the scrum-half and picking and running with the pack. He also was key in many of the rucks and had several good runs. His line - out plays were mostly successful when he got the support. At lock both Raphael Denis and Vince Pacer had terrific roles in the rucks and mauls. Both Vince and Raphael could be seen tackling any opposition player carrying the ball in their path. The first half was fabulous. Danny Ferrer came into the game and added tremendous support with his running advancing the ball.

The second half was like being at a completely different game. Brother Martin never gave up and as a result scored most of their points in the second half and we were held scoreless. We made many stupid mistakes and got sloppy causing us to lose possession of the ball with unnecessary penalties. Several substitutions were made and helped to settle down . We saw Kyle Maritz and Zack Carey help out in the mauls along with Manhania Robles.

After a short rest of 90 minutes the boys had to boot up again for the second match of the day against Pineville - Mathews of North Carolina. A win in this game would get Naples into the Championship Final.

Second Game Naples versus Pineville - Mathews

These two teams have never played against each other and each needed a win to advance in the standings of the Championship round. The weather held nicely and the temperature was in the mid seventy's, perfect for a rugby match. Each team filled with anticipation and anxiety took to the pitch for the kick-off.

In the tradition of their entire season the Bears came out with an aggressive , hard running , hard hitting style. They immediate began to capitalize on the Pineville - Matthews mistakes. During a ruck near mid-field while the "hogs " had the ball , it was stripped by a Bears player and fell to the ground. An astute and swift acting Martin Spies ( 8-man ) picked up the ball and ran eluding several defenders, juking and dummy passing his way forty meters for a score. The ensuing conversion by Cosmin Plavita was good.

Shortly after the restart kick - off the ball was kicked to touch by Ryan Young for a penalty and it was to the North Carolina five meter line. The Bears maintained possession of the ball for the line-out and R. Young quickly passed to our Prop Victor " Beef" Gibbs who turned immediately to the sidelines with a hard drive with support of his team and he drove in for the score in the corner of the try zone. The conversion by C. Plavita was good.

Immediately after the restart kick, Naples moved swiftly down the pitch with an effective kicking game. When play broke down into a ruck at the 30 meter line of North Carolina, Naples Flanker R. Young came into the ruck picked the ball then tossed it to brother Shane Young who then popped passed it to oncoming fullback Cosmin Plavita who charged through a host of defenders breaking tackles and ran it into the try zone. Plavita took his own conversion and it was good.

Play continued as the Hogs kicked back to Naples and the Bears repeated their momentum up the pitch towards the North Carolina Try zone. A penalty was called against the Hogs and it was a Bears scrum. The bears won the hook took the ball and was carried by Martin Spies into a ruck. S. Young then called for a hammer at about the five meter line and called for prop Danny Ferrer to take the ball. Ferrer exploded into the defense and carried a couple of players with him into the try zone for a score.C. Plavita's conversion was good. This play ended the half with a score of North Carolina 0 -- Naples 26.

Second Half

The pace of game did not change from the first half as the Bears continued their aggressive play. After kick-off the Bears moved at a fast pace down field at about mid-field when a ruck developed controlled by the HOGS. a Naples player Prop Phil ' Pukie ' Colon stripped the ball away from the opposition and passed it out to lock Vince Pacer who advanced it five meters before passing it on to wing Hector De La Rosa who sprinted down the sidelines for the score. C. Plavits score was good.

As the play continued the next score was a result of a loose ruck forming and the Bears executing a pick and go movement. A ruck formed and R. Young came in picked and ran 10 meters into another ruck as the defense tried to stop him. The ruck formed and Shane Young arrived to take the ball from the ruck and toss it out to fly-half Steve Kinsland who ran it in for a score. The conversion was no good.

About five minutes after the ball was back in play the Hogs had possession and were driven out of touch giving the ball back to the Bears. In the line-out the Bears Martin Spies won the toss and threw it to S. Young who immediately passed to S. Kinsland, who threw to M. Apple and he in turn passed out to out-side center Brandon Pierson who ran 20 yards for the score. The conversion kick was no good.

Nearing the later part of the game the Hogs were mounting an attack and had a penalty where their 8-man tapped through the ball and then attempted to pass it out to his backs. A quick reaction and response from Brandon Pierson read the play and waited patiently and was able to intercept the pass and run it in for a try. The Conversion was no good.

One last drive was mounted by the Bears as time was running out and a scrum was taken by the Bears and S. Young got the ball out to fly-half S. Kinsland who ran the ball in for the final try of the day. The conversion by Plavita was good. The final score Pineville - Matthews 0 -- Naples 55.

This record now sent the Naples Bears into the Championship final round against Brentwood Tennessee Brumbies who were also undefeated.

Players that scored :
Steve Kinsland ..........2 try's
Brandon Pierson..........2 try's
Martin Spies..................1 try
Victor " Beef " Gibbs.......1 try
Cosmin Plavita...............1 try
Danny Ferrer..................1 try
Hector De La Rosa........1 try
Cosmin Plavita had five conversion for 10 points.

Coach's Comments :
Team work was excellent . Support was there and great balance of play between the backs and the forwards. Provided you play like that in the final you will have a new title and be going to New Hampshire to compete with the sixteen best teams in the country.

The USA Rugby South National Final Match
Brumbies of Tennessee vs. Naples Bears of Florida

In a highly regarded match with great expectations from both teams the fans surrounded the pitch for a key viewing of the match from the two undefeated teams.

As kick- off took place to the Brumbies they wasted no time in using their kicking game to find open space to penetrate the backs of Naples and get the ball out to their backs. That strategy proved well because in the first five minutes the Brumbies scored twice and converted the kicks.

This was exactly what Naples has done to the opposition all season. Aggressive play that results in quick scores in the first ten minutes of play. However, this was what happened to them for the first time all season. Again, the Brumbies scored in the next five minutes from a quick kick over the backs head and they over-loaded the back field and got the ball out to their backs for a third score and a conversion in the first fifteen minutes of play.

The Bears mounted two aggressive drives after settling down. A maul was created on the five meter line of the Brumbies and the Bears pushed the ball into the try zone. The Prop Phil Colon had sole possession of the ball and as he went to ground he slammed the ball to the turf. The ref ruled that play as no try because he ruled he did not control the ball. It was brought back to a five meter scrum and then given to the Brumbies. They won possession and kick out of danger.

The Brumbies dominated the Bears using a multifaceted and aggressive scheme. Brentwood kept the Bears off pace with strong offense running by centers Reagan Daniels and Steven Reese. Scrumhalf Seth Jones and flyhalf Chad Edmonds demonstrated great vision and skill, kicking into strong shifting winds to find open space for the backline as they hammered out a 33 - 0 halftime lead.

The Bears opened up the second half with a fierce attack to the Brentwood line and spent 15 minutes inside the 10 meter unable to crack the line. The Bears once again brought the ball to the try line. In a great drive the ball was mauled to the 30 meter line and S. Young took control and threw it out 10 meters to flyhalf Steve Kinsland who was stopped at the five meter sideline. A ruck formed and Shane Young called for a hammer play going to Prop Victor Gibbs who took the ball to the try line. The ref would not recognize the ball as being in the try zone denied the score and awarded the penalty for coming over the top of a ruck by a Naples player. This gave possession to the Brumbies and they kicked for touch thwarting another score for Naples. Brentwood capitalized on several breakaway run with good support and some very fine conversions by flyhalf Chad Edmonds to build their lead to a win with a final score of 47 - 0.

Coaches Comments;
Bears did not bring their game to the pitch that hour of the day. The Brumbies set the team back and determined the outset in the first 1o minutes of play. We had very poor tackling , which is very uncharacteristic for your play. In fact it has been one of your strengths all season. Arm tackles do not win games and that is exactly what we did all game. We did not get the ball to the wings as we have all season and in the first two games. Hampered with an injury and a key starter taking ill is no excuse because we have depth.

Some items and notes about our most worthy opponents who now go on to represent USA Rugby South in the National finals in New Hampshire May 19-20th. They were all seniors and State Champions the last four years in a row. In Tennessee they have three divisions with about eight team in each in the respective divisions. They as a team made a team goal to get to National finals which meant they had to beat you to get there. They also made a pack as a team that they would stay on a physical training program together for fitness and you saw the results. None of those boys had a pound of body fat. They did not play the same level the day before when we were able to see them play the competition and we outscored all the other teams throughout the playoffs. They brought their best game and we did not. They were able to score more points on you than any team all season long. You only had 28 points scored on you all season long until this game. They also were undefeated this season and had a scoring differential like we did against all of our opponents. We wish them well and hope that they win the National Title.

I wish we could play them again tomorrow and show them just how talented you really are. The score did not represent the action of the game yet it does sent us home as the second place team for the South Nationals. I am very proud of all of your efforts and am excited about all of your accomplishments. You cannot forget that we are only a two year team playing others that have years of experience playing together and know the game. In two years you have two State Titles and now a second place in a National level of play. You have put the country on notice that Florida has a viable High School Rugby program. We will build on this success for future years !! We came from starting out with eight players at the beginning of last year and finished with 22. This year we have two full sides with 37 players and 12 girls on the first ever girls team in Southwest Florida. You have done a wonderful job for your sport, your schools, and your community. I am very proud to be part of this team and thank you for all of your efforts to do your best. It has been fun and you made our season one to remember forever. You should be very proud of the record you that you have set, it is a milestone for others to follow. Now lets plan on making our next season even better and we will advance to the Nationals on our next attempt. !!