Toys for Tots Tournamnet 2011

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Created on Sunday, 04 December 2011 23:11; Written by President; Hits: 219

The Cougars kicked off their season finale with a bang, winning the Toys for Tots Tournament with big victories over crosstown rivals the Citadel and, more impressively, Division I UNC Chapel Hill. No one could have asked for better weather, it was sunny and in the sixties with no wind when the Cougars creamed the Citadel in their first game, establishing a dominant four-try lead in only 25 minutes. In fact, the cadets would not even see their side of the field for more than a couple seconds in the first half, the Cougars maintained total control of the game.The blood-letting began earlier, when Senior Flanker Joey Ingham scored the first try as the forwards trampled over the Citadel with little help from the backs from the opening kick-off. The second try happened thanks to a great line break by the flanker who thinks he is a back, D.J. Tippins, who then made a brilliant pass to Fullback Sam Oyeno for his fourth try of the season. Not long afterwards, the Citadel committed a penalty about ten meters out from the try zone, and Center Ian Mueller took a quick-tap and ran it in for the Cougars third try. Then, in less than a minute, the Cougars ran quickly down field, and this time D.J. didn't need to pass it off as he flew past Citadel defenders and into the try zone for the Cougars' final try of the game. Prop George Woolston converted three of four kicks and the Cougars were up 26 nil going into the second half. The big lead enabled the entire b-side to play in the second half, and they performed admirably, even though they did allow one try to the beleaguered cadets. Fly-half Brendan DeLuke also merits attention for his overall outstanding play, especially his crushing defense, which was seen in both games.

The second game was a hard-hitting battle between UNC and CofC, and the Cougars were eager to overcome their disappointing close defeats against other Division I schools earlier in the season. This time, they were successful, as the pack played their hearts out against the gigantic UNC forwards, and the backline stymied UNC's talented offensive threats. The Cougars set the tone for the game, laying big hits and taking no prisoners, in his last game with the Cougars Senior Joey Ingham played inside center in order to shut down UNC's best player, a very quick and strong number 12. He did so quite effectively, you could see the pain on his face when Joey crushed him on a hospital pass from his flyhalf. Also, Senior scumhalf Jazzy Jeff gave a fantastic final performance for the final game of his college career, his passing was spot-on and his defense made the opposing scrummy's life miserable.. The Cougars took the lead about ten minutes in, when Prop Christian "the Moose" pounded through to give a 5-0 advantage. UNC responded quickly though, recovering their kickoff and that inside center made the whole backline look bad as he broke three tackles to score for the Tarheels. As the first half came to a close, it was winger Kenny Evans who gave the Cougars a needed boost off a timely interception he returned for a try, giving him an unmatched eight tries awarded for the season. Chapel Hill responded twice more in the second half, and took the lead with about ten minutes to go, 15 to 12. Then, a free-kick was awarded to the Cougars, and they wisely gave the ball to Christian again, who made it clear he has speed and size as he ran thirty meters down field for the go ahead score. Despite a valiant effort by the Tarheels in the closing minutes of the game, the Cougars held fast and earned a huge upset over Chapel Hill, 17 to 15.

Dicks of the Day: Felix Butler for letting a kicked ball hit him in the face and John Sussingham for getting sin binned for hands in the ruck

Men of the Match: D.J.Tippins for his impressive play all day, especially in the Citadel game, Brendan DeLuke for his iron defense and solid flyhalf work, and for the third week in a row, Christian "the Moose" for scoring the game winning try and being an all-around beast.