The Raleigh Venom have outclassed Division 2 competition all year, but have felt they lack the numbers to jump to D1.
Saturday against a struggling D1 team, at least, it didn’t seem to be a problem.
Raleigh plastered D1 James River 69-0 in a friendly to remain unbeaten on the season.
Wing Holley Zoeller scored four tries to earn back of the match, center Jennifer Larrimore also put four scores across, and Tonya Fletcher was deemed by coaches the top forward while also scoring.
The Venom poured it on the visitors early, scoring 41 first half points before shifting into cruise control for the second half.
Raleigh sits alone atop the D2 South standings with a 4-0 league record. It’s closest has been a 32-point win.
Raleigh’s top competition in the North appears to be Severn River. The only undefeated team in the division, Severn has an average margin of victory of about 70 in its five matches.
James River might not be the best barometer of D1 rugby, with a 0-3 league record and a -164 point differential. Along with Keystone Rugby (0-4, -262) the team helps bring up the rear in the five-team conference.