AND THEN THERE WAS ONE

After four weeks of play, only two EPRU Division III squads had yet to taste defeat.  That changed when Old Gaelic (3-0) soundly defeated Second City Troop (3-1) in a downpour at Williams Grove on Saturday, 38-10.  With the win, the Griffins control their own destiny and look to continue their winning ways when they travel to Harrisburg Oct. 15^th.

The hosts got on the board early, thanks to a pack that was dominant in the scrums all day.  After his mates stole the first of many hooks, eight man Curtis Brillhart went week and plunged in for the dot-down and a 5-0 lead.  The grew to 12-0 on a Brian Ogle try off a number eight take.  Pete Sharpe got the assist from his scrum half position.  Moments later, Ken Ivie scooped up a loose ball and danced in.  The Black and Gold added another try off a slash play.  Scott Lindsay found running room down the center of the pitch and adroitly finished the play to John Kroesen for the twist-in.  Dan Roth added the third of four successful conversions on the day and Old Gaelic led at the break, 26-0.

Troop battled back in the second half.  Its pack, magnificent in lineout play – often converted to effective rolling mauls – cashed in a try to trim the deficit, 26-5.  The Griffs marched right down the field and were awarded a penalty try.  Another Brillhart score – this one on a well-executed penalty play, made things secure at 38-5.  Troop added a another score for the final margin.

The B team saw its record even at 1-1 with a hard-luck 15-7 defeat.  After Troop took a 5-0 halftime lead, the Bees took a 7-5 lead on a Roth try (assist Brian Ramsay) and a clutch conversion by Ogle.  Alas, Troop answered with a pair of late tries to snatch victory.

“A”

1-R. Smith

2-Dimitrovich

3-Travis S/Speese

4-Adams/Schlomann

5-Pomraning/Hart

6-Ivie/Ray

7-Repka/Speese/Heimbach

8-Brillhart

9-Sharpe

10-Roth

11-Cooley/Beard

12-Kroesen

13-Lindsay

14-Ogle

15-Ramsey

T:  Brillhart 2, Ogle, Ivie, Kroesen, team.  A:  R. Smith, Sharpe, Lindsay.  C:  Roth 4.

NEWS & NOTES

It was great to see long-time team chaplain and co-founder Joe Patsy and Squatty Avery in attendance at the important win over Second City.  …  Thanks to the field crew (Tim Stefanon and Curtis Brillhart especially).   The field held up will despite the adverse conditions. …  Thanks also to Huddle and Linda Pomaning for hosting the party.  As usual, the victuals and libations were sublime.

… BIG DATES:  10/15 (at Harrisburg.  Directions to their new field are on their web site).  10/29 (Homecoming/Halloween celebration following the last division match at home against the Fighting Osteopaths of PCOM).  12/3  (30^th year celebration at the Caddy Shack).  … Last week, Old Gaelic romped over White Horse, 66-0.  Brian Ogle, Dave Dimitrovich and Dan Roth led the onslaught with two tries apiece.  John Kroesen, Scott Lindsay and Ken Ivie also found the try zone.  Roth was nine for nine in conversion attempts.