- April 19, 2024
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The Daytona Beach-19U Lil Nuts rugby team began their season with a 20-5 win over Riviera Maritime Academy Saturday, Jan. 24, at Embry-Riddle University.
The Lil Nuts started off fast with a try (score) by Sam Vesely. Nash Flood followed closely after with another score to put Daytona Beach up 10-0 just before halftime.
Midway through the second half, Daytona’s Bryce Beck pulled off an incredible play, kicking the ball down the field (which is legal in rugby) until it reached the in-goal area (end zone), and then he was able to retrieve It between two Riviera players to score a third try for the Lil Nuts to go up 15-0.
“In rugby you can keep kicking it down field, so I saw an opportunity to keep kicking it,” Beck said. “It felt good to be able to score. I didn’t think I would be able to get the ball back.”
With a few minutes left in the game, Riviera scored a try to cut into Daytona’s lead 15-5, but soon after Bobby Brown found was able to score a fourth try to put the Lil Nuts up for good 20-5. All conversion kicks by both teams were missed for extra points.
“Feels good to begin the season with a win,” coach Trent Vesely said. “Riviera is a good time, so we had to come out ready to play. Once we started taking it right at them, we became much successful.”
The Daytona Beach Lil Nuts 19U Rugby team is comprised of high school kids from Mainland, Seabreeze, Spruce Creek and Atlantic High School.
“They’re used to playing a lot of sports against each other with their schools, but here they play together, which I get a lot out of personally,” Vesely added.
The Lil Nuts’ next home game will be against Tampa Krewe at noon on Saturday Feb. 14, at Embry-Riddle University.
