MARFU's
Game 1 (West Potomac)
The Black and Gold, looking to improve on last year's 4th place finish,
started slowly but pulled away for a 31-5 triumph that propelled them
into the semi-finals.  Brian Ogle had a hat trick as the Griffins
inexorably pulled away.  Scott Lindsay and Matt Hart also had tries and
Brian Ramsay (2), Lindsay and John Kroesen provided the assists.
Game 2 (James River)
It was an unusual choice of weapons -- drop kicks at 30 meters -- and
though Old Gaelic's Dan Roth won the shootout over the Virginia club's
Diego, three drop kicks to two, the latter's squad prevailed, 19-15, to
dash the Griffins dream of a trip to San Diego.  River lost to Happy
Valley in the MARFU title clash.  Valley then lost in the first round at
Omaha.
Roth scored all of Old Gaelic's points on kicks (3 PKs, 2 DKs) as the
Black and Gold took a 15-9 lead with less than five minutes left.  James
River picked off a pass and ran it in for the only try of the match and
Diego added a conversion from the sideline and a 35-meter drop kick of
his own for good measure and the final result.
Game 3 (Harrisburg)
The Griffs showed their mettle with a convincing 41-0 win over
Harrisburg to clinch third place in the Mid-Atlantic region (a feat
achieved only once before).  The teams agreed on free subs after a
grueling Saturday and Old Gaelic players showed up in full force.  Brian
Ramsay led the way with two tries.  Dan Roth, Pete Sharpe, Ryan Cooley,
Ken Ivey and Matt "Skinny" Pomranning also struck paydirt.  Nick Adams
and Ryan Cooley added assists.