The Tridents capped off the 2024 season with a resounding win against the Bay Area Pelicans to win the Florida State Rugby Championship. It is their 7th State Championship out of the last 8 seasons.
The Tridents scored their first try by winger Tomas Delfrade within the 3 minute mark. the chances of another close, nail-biting finish like last year's 32-31 barnburner quickly vanished. A few minutes later, Fullback Francisco Perello scored another try. From then on, the outcome was never in doubt. The Tridents put on an offensive and defensive clinic, denying the boys from the Bay Area any chance to counter. The boys from Miami played such a clinical game that they were only penalized for three infractions in the first 40 minutes of play. By halftime, the score was 45-0. In the second half, the Tridents continued to display the kind of champagne rugby they have exhibited throughout the season- a quick and attacking game, with the ball being sent across the pitch with multiple offloads and precisely timed runs. As time started to wane, the Pelicans eventually scored two tries. The last try took place as time expired. The final score was a dominant 67-14 win for the defending champions. Eight different players scored tries, with Tomas Delfrade and Francisco Perello scoring two tries each.
The Tridents finished the 2024 season not only undefeated, but also with possibly the highest point differential in the Club's, if not state's history. In 10 matches, they scored a whopping 567 points and allowed only 85 for a point differential of 482. Their average margin of victory was 57-9.
Up next for the State Champions is the Gulf Coast Super Regional to be held on May 4th & 5th in Austin, Texas. There, they will play the best teams from the Carolinas to Texas to see who advances to the National Championship Playoffs on May 18th & 19th.