A game for the ages

In a game that lacked scoring but plenty of thrills the University of South Carolina defeated Clemson 8-7 Friday night.

With the win, USC has an inside track to reach the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference semi-finals. And the fabled Palmetto Cup, awarded to the winner of the annual rivalry, stays in Columbia for another year.

The visiting Gamecocks scored first near the 12-minute mark when freshman prop AJ DeAngelis bullied in a try. The conversion failed but the Gamecocks led 5-0. With momentum, USC pressured the Tigers but squandered two precious scoring opportunities. Clemson held up a ball in the try zone. And the Gamecocks surrendered the ball through a penalty on the Tigers’ five-meter line.

The final 20 minutes of the half belonged to the Tigers. Clemson held much of the possession. Time and time again the speedy Tigers crept inside the Gamecocks’ 22-meter line. But the USC defense held. And timely booming box kicks from Gamecock scrumhalf Jack van Vliet saved the day.

The second half was more of the same. Clemson pounded on the USC door but were shoulder tackled away until a Tiger center found a gap and scored at the 62-minute mark to give Clemson a 7-5 lead after the successful conversion.

With their back against the wall and playing on their back foot for much of the second half, the Gamecocks found some energy. USC pushed inside the Clemson 22-meter line, when a Tiger infraction gave the Gamecocks an opportunity.

With points precious, USC elected for a penalty kick by fullback Andrew Reese. It was good. USC led 8-7. After that, the Clemson offense surged. Time and time again, the Tigers pressured deep inside Gamecock territory. Then with 15 minutes remaining, a USC prop was yellow-carded.

This was Clemson’s chance. But the USC defense would not yield. And again, timely box kicks forced the Tigers back when it seemed a Clemson try was assured.

Then a Clemson player was yellow carded. At the five-minute mark, the Gamecock prop returned, and the tables were turned. This time, it was USC who pressured. The Gamecocks played slow rugby. Ruck after ruck as the clock – and the Tigers’ hope – ran out.

In many ways, the victory was symbolic of USC’s dramatic turn around. Two years ago, Clemson swept the Gamecocks away at their home pitch by nearly 45 points in a contest that was far from competitive. Last year, USC defeated Clemson 10-12. And Friday’s victory marked the first USC win at Clemson in 15 years.

“The Clemson-USC game is always a thriller and both teams played with bounds of passion today,” said USC Rugby Coach John Roberts. “Our defensive play was extremely gutty tonight. The boys played for each other, and that proved the difference.”