Charlotte, N.C. - On a brisk Friday night in Charlotte, the St. Thomas University Bobcats stepped into hostile territory to face NCR national championship finalists Queens University of Charlotte. The 7 pm kick-off had the feel of a big occasion, floodlights, a vocal home crowd, and two ambitious programs with plenty to prove.

Queens wasted no time reminding everyone of their pedigree. From the opening whistle, they controlled territory and tempo. Their fly-half orchestrated play cleverly, spotting space early and slicing through to score in just the second minute. It was a sharp statement of intent and left STU chasing from the outset.

But this Bobcats side has grown comfortable in chaos.

STU responded with patience and power. A lineout deep inside the Royals' 22 set the platform, and after a series of bruising pick and go phases, senior prop Jabari Young muscled over for the Bobcats' first try of the night. It was gritty, direct rugby, the kind that travels well.

What followed was pure theatre. Queens struck twice in quick succession, stretching the lead and igniting their sideline. Yet every time the Royals surged, the Bobcats answered. George Ditima produced one of the moments of the night, shrugging off multiple defenders before crashing between the posts off a set piece. Momentum had shifted.

Then came a flash of Miami flair. A full-length, all-hands counterattack sliced through Queens' structure, and winger Nokutenda Mukumba finished the movement with a sharp pick-and-go. The game had officially turned into a high-scoring shootout.

Queens refused to fade, punching back with another try. But STU struck again when Tshepang Matubatuba released Mukumba in the 22, and the winger fought through contact to level the score at 28 to 28. Just when it seemed the half would close evenly, Queens executed a clinical five-meter scrum to edge ahead. Halftime, 33 to 28 Royals. Both teams and fans were gasping.

The second half demanded composure. The Bobcats delivered.

Owen Phillips crossed early to reclaim the lead, 35 to 33, swinging belief firmly toward the visitors. The forward packs went pound for pound in midfield collisions, while the backs searched for inches of daylight. A Queens penalty nudged the Royals back in front, but Taona Mapani had other ideas. Gathering a clearance near his own 40, he accelerated into the open field and never looked back, a dagger of a try.

Welton Charumbira was ice cold from the tee, extending the lead to 43 to 35 with ten minutes remaining. Queens threw everything forward, waves of attack crashing into desperate Bobcat defense. Every tackle mattered. Every ruck was contested like it was the last.

The decisive moments belonged to STU. Charumbira slotted two late penalties, stretching the margin and silencing the home crowd. Final score, 49 to 35. A statement away win.

For a program transitioning full-time into D1A, nights like this define belief. The growth is visible. The resilience is real. And the Bobcats are no longer just competing; they are announcing themselves.

Forward of the Match: Jabari Young
Back of the Match: Nokutenda Mukumba

Next up: Army at home on 28 February. If Charlotte was intense, Miami promises to be electric.