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Phoenix Edges South Greenville

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Phoenix Edges South Greenville

Bryson Shanklin spins it out to Chris Bagby for Phoenix.

On Saturday, Phoenix Alpharetta played South Greenville in an eagerly anticipated meeting of ranked high school clubs.

South Greenville ranked #8 by Goff Rugby Report, fielded a giant pack, and Phoenix, looking perhaps to spread the ball a little more, came into the game ranked #13. South Greenville was first on the scoreboard, using their forwards to punch their way down the field. Phoenix made a weak clearance kick from their 10 meter line that was gathered by the fast South Greenville fullback Jon Lafoy, and he scored in the corner. The touchline conversion was missed to leave the score at South Greenville 5, Phoenix 0.

Phoenix immediately responded with a penalty kick from fullback Ollie Kennett, and then a well-worked try from USA South center Chris Bagby to take an 8-5 lead. South Greenville then powered over the Phoenix line, following several strong forward phases, with Jackson Clark, and the conversion gave South Greenville a narrow 12-8 lead. The South Greenville defense held out a strong Phoenix assault as the half ended.

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Phoenix appeared to score in the early moments of the second haf, when Phoenix fullback Ollie Kennett ran in, but it was called back for a forward pass. But right after that, Bagby found Kennett with a wonderful pop pass and Kennett flew in under the posts. That put Phoenix ahead 15-12, but South Greenville wasn't done. Alston Burton scored for the South Carolina team, and Clark's kick from the corner made it 19-15 for South Greenville.

Phoenix again pushed downfield and, this time, kept the ball in the forwards. After 11 phases, lock Corbin Shanklin dived over under the posts. Kennett kicked the easy conversion for Phoenix to lead by three points with time ticking away. South Greenville had a final chance to equalize with a long penalty kick but missed to the left and the final score was Phoenix 22, South Greenville 19.

South Greenville needed some players to fill starting roles and they did well, with Grant Weston having a good game at flyhalf and Beau Godfrey playing well at wing. Phoenix center Chris Bagby was named Man of the Match.