Man, February is a busy month for rugby. We've got the USA 7s in Vegas next weekend (will it be the last?), and then the rejuvenated Fort Lauderdale Ruggerfest on the 21st-22nd.
And, are you sitting down? We have D3 back in action this week after a two-month hiatus! Partner that with high school and youth rugby now in full swing and things are insane in this second month of the year.
Posted on 2/5/2015 5:18:13 PM
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Man, February is a busy month for rugby. We've got the USA
7s in Vegas next weekend (will it be the last?), and then the rejuvenated Fort
Lauderdale Ruggerfest on the 21st-22nd. And, are you sitting down? We have D3 back in action this
week after a two-month hiatus! Partner that with high school and youth rugby
now in full swing and things are insane in this second month of the year. Division II Fort Lauderdale (3-2) at Miami RFC (1-4): After
winning the state title last season, the Miami RFC Bumblebees have experienced
a rough first half of the 2014-15 campaign, having won just once in their first
five games against winless Krewe. Barring a miracle, the yellow and black are
now pretty much out of the playoff picture, but could certainly spoil some
things with four of their final five games against teams currently in playoff
positions. The Knights, meanwhile, know they can't afford too many more losses.
They do have a rather favorable schedule down the stretch though, with two
games against one-win Naples and one against Tampa. They will be angry after losing
to Boca last week and should take that out on Miami in this one. Fort
Lauderdale 35, Miami 17 Miami Tridents (2-3) at Naples (1-4): The Tridents'
season was on life support until last week's crucial win over neighbors Miami
RFC, and now they get a favorable fixture with a chance to get their record
back to .500. With two games still remaining against Tampa, a five-win season
isn't out of the question for the Tridents, and one win in their two games left
against Jacksonville could mean a playoff spot. Naples, on the other hand, are
halfway down to the canvas after allowing 63 points on the road to Jax in their
last game. Visiting team to enjoy their trip back across the Alley after this
one. Tridents 52, Naples 12 Boca Raton (5-0) at Tampa Krewe (0-5): A long road
trip coming off a big rivalry win with another big contest vs. Orlando away
from home on the horizon smells like an upset waiting to happen for Boca. But
will I have the cojones to pick against the Buccaneers again like I did last
week? Krewe have been competitive in all but one of their games but have
nothing to really play for other than being spoilers the rest of the way at
this point. I just don't see them doing quite enough to pull off the shock
victory, and things could get ugly if they start off on the wrong foot. Boca
Raton 34, Tampa Krewe 20 Division III Daytona Beach (3-0-1) at Tampa D3 (0-4): Shouldn't be
much to see in this one. Daytona were one of the better teams in the first half
of the season and should easily handle a Tampa squad that has given up an
average of 41.5 points in four games and has yet to reach double digits
themselves. Daytona 55, Tampa 5 Gainesville (4-0) at Palm Beach (3-0): Probably the
match of the weekend state-wide, these two teams have created a great rivalry
over the last few seasons as they're always near the top and fighting for the
title. The Hogs have had just one close match so far vs. Sarasota, and have
beaten their last two opponents by an average of 46.5 points. Palm Beach have
also been beating up on folks, putting up an average of 59.3 points in their
three games. Last season, these two teams played twice, with the Hogs winning
24-15 and 60-7. Not sure what happened in that second game last season, but I
guarantee there won't be 53 points between these two side on Saturday. I like
the home team to edge this one in a hard-hitting, testy affair. Palm Beach
28, Gainesville 25 Indian River (0-3) at Bay Area Pelican (1-2): Not
exactly the marquee matchup of the week, but they can't all be Gainesville/Palm
Beach, right? The Pelicans handily win at home to keep their playoff hopes
barely alive. Bay Area Pelican 44, Indian River 10 Tallahassee (1-2) at Brevard (2-2): Don't fool
yourselves, this could be one of the more entertaining and intriguing matchups
of the weekends. The Conquistadors have been all over the place this season
with a blowout win, a blowout loss and a narrow defeat at the hands of Daytona.
The loser of this game will have a hard time making the playoffs, especially
Brevard with their extra game already played. I think the Red Eye manage to
squeak by against the FRU newcomers. Brevard 24, Tallahassee 22 Last Week: 2-1 Season: 24-11-1 (68.6%) All Time: 125-45-1 (73.5%)
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