Tennessee, Queens Test Youth in Spring 15s Tilt
Tennessee, Queens Test Youth in Spring 15s Tilt
The Tennessee Volunteers traveled to Charlotte last Friday to take on the Queens Royals in a cross-divisional clash.
Both sides fielded some young players bolstered by a strong veteran presence.
Tennessee used the opportunity to play some tougher competition to strengthen their structure and test some of their younger players in big opportunities.
“There was a huge improvement in our patience,” said Head Coach Scott Tungay. “We had five freshmen in our outsides backs and our aim for them was work rate and bravery … they were tireless in kick chase, and getting in the faces of the back three and that’s exactly what we wanted.”
Both teams face some rough conditions and continuing-to-worsen rain. Flyhalf Brendan O’Neil said Tennessee had to adjust
“We wanted to push the ball downfield and make their Fullback make mistakes and hopefully take advantage and maul it in,” said O'Neil "This is exactly what the Vols accomplished in the first half able to enter the 22 a total of 6 times resulting in a 17-0 lead at half time. Come the second half however Queens was able to take advantage in the scrums and even the game with clever kicks over the top and some elusive runs.
Queens was also looking for some high-quality game time for their players.
“First half they played in our end a lot and second half we played in theirs,” explained Head Coach Frank McKInney, adding that he wanted to see how his younger players fought through adversity.
"Some up and down," was his summary. "Some guys stood up and some guys we thought were going to do well froze, so some things we can fix on tape.”
In the second half the kicking game of the Royals opened up leading to opportunities down field resulting in three tries and a tie game. One of those try scorers was Landon Starnes: “we saw the right positioning from the fullback and we just wanted to put the ball deep and the whole team trusts my speed so I was able to get down there and get a try.” Queens ultimately was able to bring it back and tie the game with their ability to spread the ball with the boot and then hammer it in with the forwards.
Final score: Tennessee 17 Queens 17
—Toby Fagan