The #1 seed from the EPRU D3 Freedom Division, Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC (6-0) stayed perfect on Saturday in a back in forth game against the 3 seed from the Keystone South Jersey RFC (3-3) at Edgely Field in Fairmont Park.  PW overcame a slow first half in a game that saw 7 lead changes to break away in the second frame on the back of two tries from Winger Kurht Engle and strong pick-and-go phases out of the forward pack.

Jim Rosato got PW on the board first with a penalty kick from in close giving the home side a 3-0 lead.  South Jersey answered 10 minutes later with a long run that eventually ended with a try in the corner.  The conversion was made from the tough angle giving SJ a 7-3 lead.  PW took little time to respond with a rumbling try from Prop Freddie Konieki 3 minutes later.  PW then led 8-7.

The scoreboard see-saw continued as SJ took the lead back with a penalty kick in the middle of the field giving the visitors a 10-8 lead.  Both sides played strong defense, not allowing anyone to break through the gain line until Fly-Half Conway Maraki broke through and eventually scored a couple phases later in the last play of the first half.  PW led 13-10 at the break.

South Jersey came out strong to start the second half, taking the ball all the way down and scoring a try to once again take the lead.  The conversion made it 17-13.  PW then rallied, moving the ball with their forwards and sucking in the SJ defense.   The hard work paid off as the ball got out wide to Engle who beat his man one-on-one and took it to the house to give home team the lead for good, 18-17.

Engle found pay dirt again not long after, again beating his man mano-a-mano after the forward did will to maintain possession and suck in the defense.  The conversion was good from Rosato increasing the lead to 25-17 for PW.   Philly Whitemarsh did well to maintain possession and play stout defense, not letting SJ answer this time.  Rosato converted another penalty and converted a try from Captain Bob Haller to stretch the score to 35-17.  South Jersey scored in the corner on the last play of the game making the final score 35-22.

Just two games now stand between PWRFC and an undefeated fall season.  Next week, PW hosts the 2 seed out of the Keystone Division, Wilkes Barre RFC at 1PM at Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park.

Oct 29th match: Wilkes-Barre Men @ Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Men  1:00pm Memorial Hall Field

Nov 5th match: Philadelphia Whitemarsh @ North Penn 1:00pm

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