Huns Top AC In DI Club National Final
Huns Top AC In DI Club National Final
The Austin Huns won the USA Rugby DI Club Championship over the NYAC.
The Austin Huns held off the New York Athletic Club 27-23 in a tense national DI Men's Club final at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO, on Saturday to cap off the team's new charge to national prominence.
Former High School All-American Hanco Germishuys took another step in his meteoric rise as a rugby player with an MVP performance for the Huns.
NYAC took an early 6-0 lead thanks to the kicking of flyhalf Harry Bennett, but flyhalf Timothee Guillimin inched the Huns closer to make it 6-3. The Huns then took the lead with a try from USA and former Wheeling Jesuit hooker Peter Malcolm, who was in strong support on a long-range movement. Guillimin converted and it was 10-6 Huns. And after Bennett missed a penalty attempt, Austin marched its way back. Martin Knoetze popped a pass to Deon Minaar for a try, and, with the conversion from Guillimin, the Huns took a 17-6 lead.
NYAC, of course, came back, and former Delaware captain Chris Mattina raced his way over for a try. Bennett added the extras to make it 17-13 and added a penalty to make it 17-16.
With Germishuys causing havoc and USA captain Todd Clever now on the field as an impact sub, the Huns put more pressure on the NYAC. Guillimin missed a penalty attempts and then made good a few minutes later to make it 20-16. The AC wasn't done, though, and Gareth Gibbs went over. Bennett converted from the touchline, and NYAC, winner of four tight Super League finals, was in the lead.
With time winding down, Germishuys made ground on a big run to set up the Huns' winning try. Lomani Tongotongo passed off to Sani Taylor, who scored to give Austin its final 27-23 lead after Guillimin hit the conversion.
Convs: Guillimin 3
Pens: Guillimin 2
Cons: Bennett 2
Pens: Bennett 3
Former High School All-American Hanco Germishuys took another step in his meteoric rise as a rugby player with an MVP performance for the Huns.
NYAC took an early 6-0 lead thanks to the kicking of flyhalf Harry Bennett, but flyhalf Timothee Guillimin inched the Huns closer to make it 6-3. The Huns then took the lead with a try from USA and former Wheeling Jesuit hooker Peter Malcolm, who was in strong support on a long-range movement. Guillimin converted and it was 10-6 Huns. And after Bennett missed a penalty attempt, Austin marched its way back. Martin Knoetze popped a pass to Deon Minaar for a try, and, with the conversion from Guillimin, the Huns took a 17-6 lead.
NYAC, of course, came back, and former Delaware captain Chris Mattina raced his way over for a try. Bennett added the extras to make it 17-13 and added a penalty to make it 17-16.
With Germishuys causing havoc and USA captain Todd Clever now on the field as an impact sub, the Huns put more pressure on the NYAC. Guillimin missed a penalty attempts and then made good a few minutes later to make it 20-16. The AC wasn't done, though, and Gareth Gibbs went over. Bennett converted from the touchline, and NYAC, winner of four tight Super League finals, was in the lead.
With time winding down, Germishuys made ground on a big run to set up the Huns' winning try. Lomani Tongotongo passed off to Sani Taylor, who scored to give Austin its final 27-23 lead after Guillimin hit the conversion.
Austin Huns 27
Tries: Malcolm, Minnaar, TaylorConvs: Guillimin 3
Pens: Guillimin 2
New York Athletic Club 23
Tries: Mattina, GibbsCons: Bennett 2
Pens: Bennett 3