It was a cold night for rugby as Warren County played Oakland at Nunley Stadium on Wednesday night. Hovering around 32 degrees, you wonder about the car battery.
The Pioneer rugby players had a tough go, as every time Oakland got the ball it seemed like they made a try and a conversion. There was no quit in the Pioneers however, as they took a licking and kept on kicking despite the one-sided, 55-0 loss.
“We had a difficult matchup against a well-disciplined Oakland squad last night. The boys fought hard and executed our game plan to the best of their abilities,” said Warren County head rugby coach Jonathan Smith. “We did not win the contest on the scoreboard, but our players had a good clean game of rugby. It is important to take something from each defeat, and build on that to prepare for the next game. We are building a reputation as a hard- working team that will see success in the near future.”
The powerhouse Murfreesboro team had both speed and size in its arsenal, but it was the speed that helped the Patriots on Wednesday night as they would score several break-out sprints toward the goal line. Add to that, since it was unchallenged going in, they could touch the ball right in the middle of the post to give themselves the easy conversion.
Ahead by 25 at the break, the teams went back to play earlier than normal as the cold temperatures didn’t take long to cool the muscles. Warren County threatened later in the second half, but a ruck turnover forced the ball back into Patriot hands.
The Pioneers just got back from playing five games in two days at Nash Bash in Nashville this past weekend, so they were definitely battle worn going into this contest.
Warren County will play host to another Murfreesboro team as they take on Blackman on Friday, April 7. Game time is 7 p.m.