The Exiles got Schuylkill’s weekend off to a great start with a 40-10 victory on the road over NOVA. Try scorers included birthday boy Will Doherty, whose present to himself was a hit trick, Richard Casey Pond, Jim Rosato and Owen Jones who was also 5-6 on conversions.

Coach Bill Jalbert described the game as a sloppy start even with scoring a try 3 minutes in. NOVA countered with a penalty and then it went back and forth until the 35th minute when NOVA scored a try and converted it. We came right back before half with the same going into the break up 12-10. The second half was all ours despite Mark Transue picking up a yellow card for being mean.

Captain Randy Helsman added that overall we played a solid match, implementing things the coaches have introduced in the last 2 weeks. Once we settled in and took care of the ball we were able to do some good things that allowed us to pull away in the 2nd half.

The Exiles currently sit in second place with 4 matches to go.

The Troop kept things going, and continued Coach Zona’s multi-nation, multi-state, winning streak with a 40-0 win over Blackthorn. Try scorers included Kyle King, Tiny, Scott “Tennerman” Weber and the breakaway speed burners Tim Lowe and Hunter Valentine who each, I kid you not, scored multiple breakaway tries in what may have been the strangest game of rugby ever played.

Coach Arizona stated after the match that D3 continues to develop as a team and continue its playoff run. With multiple tries from Tim Lowe and Hunter Valentine we were able to work our structure to get Blackthorn on the back foot and adapt to the openings that were provided for us. We also managed to hold them on defense with our strong pillar and post positions and coming up together on defense.

Messages seeking comment from Captain Dan “Almost Famous” Callahan went unanswered but Callahan did hit a conversion and then declare himself to be “a golden god” so perhaps we’ve heard enough out of him.

The Troop currently sits in second place with 1 match to go.

Following a big weekend for both of the Men’s sides Director of Player Personnel Pat Boyle gave me his opinion that the Club is really starting to develop depth through all of our sides and this weekend showed us that. The boys are playing within the system which allows players to play to their potential as individuals as well.

On Sunday the North Philly Nomads came away with a 50-0 victory over the Northeast Raiders. When reached for comment their Coach James Brunson informed me that the boys played with great energy and effort all game. The 50-0 final evened their division record to 1-1 with a 2-1 record overall. Congratulations are due to Nomad of the Match Keyon McLoud who tied the Nomad single game try scoring record with 5. Other scorers were Nasir Epps (2) and Michael Carter. Alandy Fleury went 5/8 on conversion attempts.

The Narberth Otters were not as successful as the Nomads on Sunday but have nothing to be ashamed of after a 14-10 loss to Hempfield out in Lancaster. Coach Gabe Gliwa told me that he was happy overall with the performance. We played the most physical that Gabe has seen since coaching the team and hopefully that continues through the season. We got beat consistently in the scrums and lineouts but what really cost us the win was not making that last pass to the wing which should have given us at least two more tries. We also need to make sure we have a consistent and sustained effort so that we don’t get lazy towards the end of the game and fail to support rucks. The Otters B-side took a 10-7 loss but looked good taking into consideration the fact that we had at least 4 or more guys who have never played rugby before.

THE WEEK THAT IS
Huge weekend for travel coming up, we need absolutely all hands on deck. The Exiles play at Pittsburgh while Troop travels to Happy Valley. With two games that far away we need everyone to update their teamsnap and show up to practice tomorrow.

The Nomads travel to North Penn on Sunday and the Otters host Warwick at Radnor High School. Both of these games are close to the City so this would be a good weekend for people to come on out and support the next generation of Schuylkill River.

THE WEEKS THAT WILL BE
Family Day on April 16 is coming up soon. We have an event page on Facebook which I have emailed everyone a link to previously. Please RSVP to that and share it online so that everyone knows what’s going on. We are working on making this a family friendly event so please bring your children and significant others.

The Narberth Otters will be running a snack-shack at this event so please bring some money for food and to make a donation to their Club. We will also be having a special wives and girlfriends division of our punt pass and kick competition. Please reach out to me if your wife/girlfriend plans to participate so that I can plan a proper prize for the victor.