EASLEY — In the first-ever local rugby game played in the city of Easley, the Easley High School Rugby Club picked up a dominant 34-0 victory over Greenville High’s Team 2 last Friday night at Pope Field.
Formed in 2009 by a group of determined students who had a love for the sport, the EHS Rugby Club had played all its home game since its formation at Furman University’s John Roberts Rugby Pitch before Friday night.
In Friday night’s game, Keavan Brazeal, Brandon Montz, John Hendrix and Cameron Henderson scored tries, which are like football touchdowns but worth just five points each, for Easley. Tyler Richeson scored on a two-point conversion kick.
The win brought EHS’ record to 2-2 on the season.
In the second half of a double-header at Pope Field, Greenville High’s Team 1 beat Lexington High School after Easley’s game.
The Easley club is coached by volunteer head coach Dr. Tom Liddle, who played for USA Eagles Rugby, and assistant Darin Wukits.
The Green Wave play in a league of 16 high school club teams across the state, and the only other Upstate high schools with clubs are Greenville High, which has two teams, and Greer, which is a club comprised of players from four Greenville County schools. Most of Easley’s conference games are played in the midlands area of the state.
“We would love to see more local high school team involvement so that we could be sanctioned as a sport by the S.C. Athletic Association,” EHS team mom Angela Gross said.
18 teams are required before a sport can be sanctioned. As a club sport, Easley’s Rugby Club is funded entirely by parent support and sponsors from the local community. Baptist Easley and Great Clips are team sponsors this year.
The next rugby doubleheader scheduled at Pope Field will be March 23, as Greer will take on Sandhills at 7 p.m., followed by Easley High squaring off with Brookland-Cayce High at 8:30 p.m.
For more information about South Carolina high school rugby, visit www.rugbysouthcarolina.com.