Griffins fail to perform as both teams suffer defeat.

January 14th, 2012 


After a very successful start to the 2011/12 season, the Griffins First XV traveled to Shreveport expecting a competitive but winnable game. Frisco may have had a much stronger team on paper but rugby is an unpredictable sport at times and on Saturday, that fact worked against the Griffins who came out a distant second.

From the first whistle, it was apparent that the Griffins were not prepared for the game and seemed deflated very early on. Despite some strong line breaks, the consistent pressure in the set piece hindered any hopes of an even contest and Shreveport were clearly the stronger team on the day. Final Score Shreveport 38 - 5 Frisco. The club's management will be looking to the next two weeks to fix the issues at hand before taking Bay Area in Frisco on January 28th.

Back in Frisco, the Griffins Development squad took on archrivals, Denton Rugby in what is always a great contest. An experimental backline saw converted lock Dave Meacham in the inside center jersey and the return of Zaddie Colquitt, both inaugural Griffins players. Denton started the game well and spent almost the entire of the first half dangerously close to the Griffins line. Resolute defending, especially from rookies Michael Shipley and Byron Anderson (who deservedly earned the man-of-the-match award) helped keep the score to a minimum and Denton only managed a 12-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw the Griffins shore up the scrum and get some good ball in hand. Some strong runs by Frank Wambaa and James Georges set up the first opportunity, with Prop, Eric Hall crossing the try line with a chance to score. Brave tackling from Denton however managed to prevent the initial try. Michael Shipley had other ideas though and scored Frisco's first try from a No: 8 pick at the back of the scrum.

After a third Denton try, Frisco picked up the pace and through some clever running by newly recruited fly half, Locke Gamblin, the Griffins pulled the score back to 19-10. The kick from the touchline was unsuccessful and it was too late an effort to give any hopes of a comeback.

Overall, it was a decent effort by a very inexperienced team. Denton can be satisfied with the win, but rest assured, Frisco will look for revenge come March when the two teams meet again in the last game of the season.