January 11, 2016
Austin Huns RFC Lose To Griffins To Begin 2016
Photo: NormaSalinasPhotography
Austin Huns Rugby Football Club Press Release
Austin, TX (January 11, 2016). The Huns lost for the first time this season on a cold blustery day in Austin, Texas, being edged out by the Allen Griffins 24-34. With four tries each, the teams were well-matched with the visitors’ kicking game and adaptation to the conditions being the difference. Going into a strong wind in the first half, and under massive pressure from the Griffins in the scrums, the home team fell behind early and trailed by 17 points after only 20 minutes. But just two minutes later, Fijian wing Tuwi Rokodulu scored in corner to cheers from the crowd to get the home team back in the game. After that, the Huns defense stiffened in spite of being down a man due to a yellow card to open-side Michael Hickey, and the half ended with Huns trailing 5-17.
With the wind at their backs, the Huns felt confident of their chances and scored quickly, striking down the left sideline with big flanker Kyle Breytenbach to get their second try. Flyhalf Thierry Daupin converted to narrow the gap to 12-17. The pace of the game picked up considerably now, with both teams mounting raids into the other’s territory and coming away with points. Griffins scored off a great run by their big 13, Detwan Robinson, who gave the Huns trouble all day. The Huns struck back with their own big man, Mani Tongotongo. The Huns center’ drew a crowd of defenders and then made a soft pass to wing Shawn Cox who beat the last man and dove to score only inches from the flag. With only 15 minutes to play, Huns trailed by a converted try 17-24.
The final 15 minutes were tense. The Griffins’ flyhalf Toby Quarendon, who was perfect on the day with his goal-kicking, added a penalty. But as in the first half, the Huns’ answered that score minutes later with Tongotongo bulling across the line. Daupin converted and the margin was just 3 points with 8 minutes to go. Huns 24, Griffins 27. Here the visitors showed their class, pinning the Huns in their own end despite the wind. Huns had two minutes to get out of jail and win the match, but the Griffins forced a turnover and scored instead to win 24-34.
On the positive side, The Huns B’s defeated Griffins B’s 27-19 in an equally thrilling contest, with two tries from wing Justin Hale.
Huns 24 Griffins 34 (5-17 at half)
Huns
Tries: Rokodulu, Breytenbach, Cox, Tongotongo; Conversions: Daupin (2); Penalties: none
Griffins
Tries: 4; Conversions: 4; Penalties: 2
About HUNS Rugby Football Club
The Huns Rugby Football Club was founded in 1972 and is one of the first rugby clubs of its kind in Central Texas. Over more than 40 years, the club has developed an organization and a culture that have produced winning teams, first class coaches and players. The Huns’ training and competition fields are unmatched by any other in the region. For many years now The Huns Rugby football club remains one the largest men’s clubs in the United States, competing in all 3 National USA Rugby 15s divisions and the National 7s division.
