Florida Rugby: UCF Knights, Sarasota Surge crowned champs at Florida Tourney

The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights Women’s Rugby Football Club (RFC) and the Sarasota Surge RFC were crowned champions at the 2013 All Florida Weekend Rugby Tournament, held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, at Hickory Point Park in Tavares, Fla.

The UCF Lady Knights squad took home the title in the women’s collegiate division, with the Sarasota Surge taking the trophy in the men’s adult division. The Tampa Bay Krewe RFC earned the tournament’s plate for placing third at the weekend rugby tournament.

Breaking down the wins in further detail

• Collegiate Women’s Cup – The UCF Women’s RFC defeated the University of South Florida (USF) Bulls Women’s RFC 13 to 5 Sunday afternoon to claim the Collegiate Women’s Cup at All Florida Weekend. UCF won its match over the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls Sunday morning, with USF beating the Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles on Sunday to reach the final’s match.
• Adult Men’s Cup – The Sarasota Surge beat the Palm Beach Panthers by a final score of 28 to 0 to win the Adult Men’s Cup at All Florida Weekend. To reach the finals, Sarasota defeated Jacksonville, while Palm Beach beat Boca Raton.
• Adult Men’s Plate – The Tampa Bay Krewe defeated the Daytona Beach Coconuts with a final score of 38 to 5, which earned the club from Tampa Bay the All Florida Weekend Plate. Prior to reaching the consolation match, the Krewe earned a win over the Fort Lauderdale Knights Sunday morning, with the Coconuts defeating the Orlando Griffins.

2013 All Florida Day Rugby Tournament. photo Brian C. Cole

Collegiate Men’s matches at All Florida Weekend

Though the Florida Rugby Union will not award the Collegiate Men’s Cup until later in November, multiple men’s clubs from universities across the Sunshine State took part in the 2013 All Florida Weekend Rugby Tournament. The UCF Knights, the USF Bulls, the FAU Owls, the University of Florida (UF) Gators, the Florida International University (FIU) Panthers, and the University of North Florida (UNF) Deadbirds all played matches this weekend in Tavares.

UCF (Men’s) Knights Head Coach Jason Granich, whose club extended its winning streak to 25 games with victories over USF and UF, explained his strategy for staying undefeated this past weekend. While several other schools registered both Sevens and Fifteens Sides to Tavares this past weekend, Granich concentrated his efforts on ensuring the Knights remain undefeated and focused on winning the Florida Collegiate Men’s Cup next month. He did not want to risk losing matches by splitting his squad into two divisions when it is not necessary.

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