OLD GAELIC WINS NAILBITER OVER HARRISBURG

 

It was a perfect day for rugby – and when it ended, Old Gaelic survived with a 27-14 win over Harrisburg at Cibort Park.  The hosts led at the half, 11-6, and held the Griffins to a pair of Dan Roth penalty kicks.  With the wind at their backs for the final 40, Harrisburg was thinking upset.  An Old Gaelic loss would have thrown the EPRU Division III standings into a tizzy.

But strong play prevailed in a second half in which the Black and Gold outscored their nemesis, 21-3.  Inside center John Kroesen got things started with a strong individual move.  Special K was tackled at the one, but got quickly back to his feet, grabbed the oblong spheroid and plummeted into the try zone.  Roth’s kick gave the Griffs a 13-11 advantage that proved short-lived.

A Harrisburg penalty kick put them back on top, 14-13.  Minutes later, Roth laid a beautiful skip pass out to outside center Scott Lindsay, who found a lane and streaked to the house.  A Roth conversion made it 20-14 and Old Gaelic (4-0) hung on.  Harrisburg threatened repeatedly as the clock wound down.

Throughout the match, Harrisburg had dominated the lineouts and Old Gaelic the scrums.  A misdirection play known as “The Wave” went for big yardage – all the way inside the Harrisburg 10-meter line.  From there, Old Gaelic’s powerful pack ran out the clock and scored a pushover try by Curtis Brillhart as the final horn sounded.

 

1-R Smith

2-Dimitrovich

3-T Smith

4-Adams

5-Hart

6-Ivey

7-Speese

8-Brillhart

9-Sharpe

10-Roth

11-Cooley

12-Kroesen

13-Lindsay

14-Ogle

15-Ramsey

 

Harrisburg won the “B” side contest, 13-5.  Dan Roth scored on a pushover try by the Bees (1-2) as the game ended to prevent a shutout.

 

NEWS & NOTES

 

This week Old Gaelic travels to North Penn.  A victory could clinch a berth in MARFU’s and a tie for the division crown. …  Dan Morris had a hiatus from his referee duties and took part in the “B” side festivities.  So did Squatty Avery. … Don’t forget Homecoming/Halloween on Oct. 29th and the 30-year celebration on Dec. 3rd.  Hope to see you there!