The Union County Lions defeated the Charlotte Tigers 32-15 in a huge North Carolina and MSIRL clash.

Both teams went into the game unbeaten, and both teams were missing players due to this being an SAT exam weekend. While this was a North Carolina Youth Rugby league game, it was also part of the new Mid-South Independent Rugby League (MSIRL).

"We just went at it playing the rugby we've been playing," said Union County Coaching Director Steve McAreavy. "We've been working on basic skills and just executing them well. It was a small field so we needed to be physical and work hard in the rucks."

With the Union County forwards supporting well and working the phases, the Lions scored two tries to lead 14-3 at halftime. But the Tigers replied with a try early in the second half to make it 14-10. It was still anyone's game. Union County took the points on a kickable penalty, and then worked the phases methodically down the field to go up 22-10. The Lions scored two more times and the Tigers once to finish it off 32-15.

Joey Hobbs and Harry Robinson were heavily involved in the Union County scoring efforts. 

As for the Tigers, they gave away some scoring opportunities, but, added Coach Erik Saxon, "we were outplayed in the contact area and it was a solid, well-earned victory for the Lions. We hope to see them again in the playoffs."

Here are the updated standings from the MSIRL and North Carolina, not including other games scheduled for this weekend: