2019/2020 15s Schedule
Location: Erskine Ramsay Park - Krebs Field
Kick Off: 2:00 PM CST
Nashville kicked off their 2019/2020 Matrix season with a road match against Birmingham. It was a rematch of last year's True South semi-final contest (where Nashville won). Traveling with a largely young and inexperienced squad, it had all the makings of a low scoring, slug-fest, as a number of Nashville veteran players were unable to make the trip. The contest was extremely physical from the opening whistle with neither team giving much ground as the scoreboard showed two zeros until the 37th minute where Nashville punched one in. The second half remained much of the same until Birmingham put up three tries within 10 minutes, fueled by two critical mistakes by Nashville in the kicking game. Down 19-7 with less than 15 minutes to go, Nashville dug deep, fought hard and nearly rallied for the victory, but fell short in the final seconds at Birmingham's five meter line, failing to punch it in. It was Nashville's first regular season Matrix loss dating back to October 20, 2018 (vs. Chattanooga); however, the experienced gained by many new players will only help Nashville as we get deeper into the season. Outside Center, Andrew Rappe earned Man of the Match honors scoring a try, playing a solid defensive game, all while gutting out a leg injury suffered in the first half.
Location: Ted Rhodes Fields (Field #3) - 720 Mainstream Drive - Nashville, TN 37228
Kick Off: 1:00 PM CST
Nashville returned to form with an unusual Sunday home contest verse in-state rival, Knoxville for their second Matrix match of the season. After suffering the opening Matrix loss to Birmingham on the road the week prior, Nashville found it's rhythm as they easily controlled much of the match from whistle to whistle. Scoring within the first few minutes, Nashville never looked back as they ran off to a 38-5 half time lead. All 23 players saw the pitch, and Nashville displayed some impressive depth as the final score was 64-17. Captain and 8-man, Patrick Musau scored four tries; earning Man of the Match honors, while open-side Flanker, Josh Dunleavy had a hat trick of his own.
Location: Vanderbilt Recreation & Wellness Center - Field 4 - 2700 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37212
Kick Off: 3:00 PM CST
***Match was cancelled due to a forfeit by Balmy Beach RFC.***
Location: Vanderbilt Recreation & Wellness Center - Field 3 - 2700 Children's Way, Nashville, TN 37212
Kick Off: 2:00 PM CST
Nashville finished the Matrix portion of their Fall 2019 season with a home contest against in-state rival, Chattanooga, on what turned out to be a near perfect, crisp fall Saturday. Typically when these two teams meet, it's a physical contest, and this match proved no different. Nashville struck first with an early try within the first few minutes, but Chattanooga had no quit. Much of the first half was like a heavy-weight contest with each team landing some major hits. Nashville; however, jumped out to a 24-10 lead at the half and put the finishing touches with some true quality and fitness during the second half. A yellow card by Nashville within the final ten minutes allowed Chattanooga to put up two late tries, but ultimately, Nashville cruised to a 41-20 victory lead by Fly Half, Will Hodge who earned Man of the Match honors having set up a number of tries, and scoring a total of 16 points off the boot.
Nashville is now 2-1 in Matrix play ahead of the winter break, but still has one more contest (Friendly) next month.
Father Ryan High School - 700 Norwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
Kick Off: 6:30 PM CST
It was a cool mid-week evening for this extremely fun International friendly. Both teams were in great spirits. Nashville was able to play a ton of new players and veterans, and even some Old Boys. Ultimately, Gordon Rugby was simply too much for Nashville to handle and ran away with the match relatively early.
*Matrix Match
Location: TBD
Kick Off: TBD
Location: TBD
Kick Off: TBD
Location: TBD
Kick Off: TBD
Location: NashBash - 2131 Lebanon Pike, Nashville, TN 37214
Kick Off: TBD
Location: TBD
Kick Off: TBD
Location: TBD
Kick Off: TBD
*Matrix Match
Montague Park: 1175 East 23rd, Chattanooga, TN 37408
Kick Off: 2:00 PM EST
Nashville kicked off the Spring session of the 2018/2019 season with a dominating victory over in-state rival, Chattanooga, 43-19. Nooga had a 12-7 lead at the break, but then Nashville ripped off 36 unanswered points to run away with the contest. Nashville sits atop of the True South with a 3-1 Matrix record (5-2 overall).
Tobey Park: 2599 Avery Ave., Memphis, TN 38112
Kick Off: 1:00 PM CST (Gold) & 3:00 PM CST (Black)
Nashville Gold headed West to Memphis to take on the Blues on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Nashville scored within the first 45 seconds of the contest, looking like the rout was on, but Memphis kept their composure and battled the entire first half. Nashville held just a 18-16 lead going into the half before turning it on and putting up 19 unanswered points to take a 37-16 lead into the final minute. Memphis tacked on a try and conversion as time nearly expired bringing the final score to 37-23.
Nashville Black saw some action versus a mixed Memphis-B and Jonesboro Rugby side as well in a 60 minute contest. Nashville controlled most of the contest winning by a score of 36-17.
Nashville remains on top of the True South with a 4-1 Matrix record (7-2 overall).
Father Ryan High School: 700 Norwood Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
Kick Off: 1:00 PM CST
Nashville ended the regular season with a statement as they dominated the Memphis Blues. The match provided plenty of action from both sides within the first 20 minutes as both teams put up several scores with Nashville having a slight advantage, 17-13, but then Nashville hit full form wracking up 31 unanswered points. Memphis never gave up and put up 14 more points in the second half, but the tries kept coming for Nashville until the final whistle with the contesting ending, 74-27.
Nashville finishes the regular season 5-1 (8-2 overall), and has locked up the top spot in the True South North heading into the True South Championship.
37th Annual Nash Bash Tournament. Schedule TBD. More information can be found here.
Tennessee Rugby Park
8051 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931
Saturday - 3:00 PM: Semifinal
Nashville 31 vs. Birmingham 22
In a rematch of last year's True South semifinal contest, Nashville found themselves facing a familiar foe. From the opening whistle, it was a high impact match from both teams as neither broke on defense. There were an astonishing six yellow cards, four by Nashville and two by Birmingham. In each case, both teams had to play a part of the match down two men. It was still anyone's game to be won at the break as Nashville held a slight 14-12 lead. Both teams battled hard throughout the second half, but Nashville pulled away just enough in the final 20 minutes winning by a score of 31-22; giving Nashville their first trip to the True South Finals since 2016.
Sunday - 1:00 PM: Final
Nashville 17 vs. New Orleans 52
After two exciting semifinal contests (Nashville vs. Birmingham and New Orleans vs Chattanooga) the stage was set for a windy final between Nashville vs. Nola. Nola's defense from the opening whistle was fast and suffocating, and their offense capitalized on a numerous Nashville mistakes. At the 40 minute, Nola held a slight 15-12 lead, but yet another Nashville penalty gave Nola a penalty kick as time expired in the first half giving them an 18-12 lead at the break. The second half was a completely different contest as Nashville's lack of depth, injuries and shortage of a few key starters showed. Nola's offense proved to be too much for Nashville and they ran away with game, cruising to a 52-17 victory.
Centennial Park, Kinlaw Drive, Wilmore, KY 40390
12:00 PM EST
Ted Rhodes Fields - 720 Mainstream Dr, Nashville, TN 37228 (Field 4)
1:00 PM CST
5283 Triana Blvd. SW, Huntsville, AL 35085
1:00 PM CST Nashville 46 vs High Country 8
Nashville put on an offensive and defensive display with a lot of new players, winning 46-8.
5:00 PM CST Nashville 52 vs Motley Crew 0
In what was supposed to be a match vs. in-state rival Chattanooga, Nashville ended up playing a mix of players from all over. It was a good time for both veterans and rookies to get some important early season team minutes, winning 52-0.
Possum Park: 9435 College St. Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
1:00 PM EST/12:00 PM CST
Nashville kicked off the Matrix season on the road in East Tennessee vs. Knoxville. The Possums jumped out to an early 5-0, but then Nashville turned it on and dominated the match, scoring 10 total tries and winning 66-8.
Ezell Road Park: 5135 Harding Pl, Nashville, TN 37211
1:00 PM CST
In-state rival, Chattanooga traveled to Nashville for the second Matrix match of the year. Nooga took advantage of countless Nashville mistakes and made 3 out of 5 penalty kicks in the first half in addition to their one try, jumping out to a 16-0 lead at the half. The matched played even in the second half, but Nashville couldn't dig out of the hole and stop the mistakes. Nashville takes it's first loss of the season, 7-23.
Ezell Road Park: 5135 Harding Pl, Nashville, TN 37211
2:00 PM CST
The Possums came into Nashville on Halloween weekend looking to avenge their lop-sided loss from two weeks ago. Knoxville played extremely tough keeping it to a low scoring affair, and held a 6-5 lead and at one point late in the first half. But a try and conversion just before the break was all Nashville needed to light the fire and take over the match. The contest nearly ended at 38-14, but Knoxville tacked on a last minute try and conversion just before the final whistle, bringing the final score to 38-21. Nashville finishes the Fall session 2-1 in Matrix play.
5100 Almaville Rd, Smyrna, Tennessee 37167
2:00 PM CST
On a cool and sunny afternoon, the Renegades from Atlanta visited Nashville for a friendly contest. The first half was very physical for both sides as both teams displayed some impressive defense. The score was tied 7-7 at the half, when in the 60th minute, the Renegades stole a pass on Nashville's 5 meter line and took it for a pitch-length try. At that point, Nashville subbed in many new players to get them experience, and ultimately the Renegades ran away with the contest, winning 35-7.
9435 College St, Strawberry Plains, TN 37871
11:00 AM EST
Nashville traveled back to East Tennessee for the first annual Appalachian Cup hosted by Knoxville Rugby Club. The four team tourney included Knoxville, Nashville, Asheville and the West Side Barbarians, where each team played a total of six, 15 minute periods facing each other twice. Even though Nashville only traveled with 17 players, and got down to 15 because of injury, they ended up with a 4-1-1 record, conceding only 7 points on the entire day, bringing home the Cup.
Nashville ends the Fall session of the 2018/2019 season with an overall record of 4-2 (2-1 matrix play), plus the Appalachian Cup.
*Matrix Match
March 3: Nashville extends it's winning streak to four matches as they topped the Possums in Knoxville, 32-14. With the victory, Nashville has all but wrapped up a spot in the True South Playoffs, improving it's record to 5-3 overall, 3-1 in Matrix play.
March 17: It was a St. Patrick's day party as Nashville played their first international match in over two years hosting the Turks & Caicos social side in friendly competition. Some great rugby, camaraderie and fun times. In the end, Nashville won 49-12; improving to 6-3 overall.
March 24: It was a rough day at the office for Nashville as in-state rivals, Chattanooga came to Nash Bash and won 32-0. It was a defensive struggle and close game in the first half, but Nooga ran away with it in the second half. Nashville is now 6-4 overall, 3-2 in Matrix play.
April 14: After a long lay-off due to bye weeks and weather cancellations, Nashville traveled down to the Big Easy for their final game of the regular season, and took care of business in a weather-shortened contest, beating New Orleans 20-8. Nashville ends the 2017/18 season 7-4 overall, 4-2 in Matrix play, qualifying for the True South Conference Championship in Nashville on April 21-22.
April 22: True South Semifinal. Nashville's season came to an abrupt end as Birmingham put an unexpected beating to Nashville in the True South Semifinal match, wining 44-24. It was a tight contest in the first half, but mistakes from Nashville coupled by solid all-around play by Birmingham caused the game to open up in the second half as Birmingham ran away with it.
May 26: Nashville was treated to a post-season treat playing in their second international match in as many months. It was a fun (and physical) day on the pitch when the gentlemen from Talywain rolled in deep all the way from Wales. Much of the contest was back and forth until the end when Talywain put up a try in the final moments to pull ahead for the victory.
September 17: Nashville kicked-off the season with a bunch of new faces, making the long trek to face a very strong Charlotte team in a friendly, but was outmatched and outgunned, losing 82-0.
September 23: Nashville took multiple sides to Birmingham and played two matches versus Northern Illinois and Birmingham, splitting the two friendlies, beating Northern Illinois and losing to Birmingham.
October 7: Facing their biggest rival for the first Matrix match of the year, Nashville traveled to Chattanooga and played a great first half, but Nooga was too much and pulled away, winning 38-14.
October 14: Rebounding from their tough Matrix loss, Nashville unleashed an offensive fury with a bunch new players, throttling Hopkinsville in a friendly, 59-12.
October 28: The Possums from East Tennessee made a strong charge late in the game, but Nashville holds on for their first win in Matrix play, beating Knoxville 36-24.
November 4: Nashville closes out the Fall session with a commanding win over the Memphis Blues 30-7 finishing the Fall season 2-1 in Matrix play, 4-3 overall.