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Philadelphia Whitemarsh RFC (2-0) continued on its path to reasserting themselves as a force in EPRU with a 45-11 thumping of Reading RFC (1-1) in PWs home opener last Saturday at Memorial Hall in Fairmont Park. Jim Rosato socred 15 points off the tee and 6 players scored tries for PW.

Reading took advantage of a flat start by the home team scoring in the opening minutes after a few PW penalties and some good phase rugby to take an early 5-0 lead (missed conversion). Answering right back was Conway Maraki with a solid run down midfield, carrying several Reading players with him down to the 5 meter line. PW won the ensuing ruck and got the ball wide to Dan “Komodo” Walsh who touched it down in the corner. Rosato’s kick gave PW the lead 7-5.

Man of the Match Tim Foley was next to find pay-dirt for Philly Whitemarsh. Ryan “Mongo” McLean stole a defensive line out and got the ball to Fly Half Maraki. Maraki powered through the defensive line and Foley took it from there, breaking tackles and eventually scoring between the posts. Rosato chipped in the conversion to make it 14-5 midway through the first half. A few minutes later, a long run by Walsh lead to another score. Captain Bob Haller picked the ball of the ensuing ruck and went weak side for PWs third try. A rare miss by Rosato kept the score at 19-5. Rosato redeemed himself minutes later, drilling a penalty from 22 meters to end the half 22-5.

Reading got on the scoreboard again to start the second half, converting a penalty from a few meters inside the 22 bringing the score to 22-8. That was as close as the score would get. PW made a habit of winning defensive scrums all day and it paid off with a score. Haller made an 8 man break off the scrum and got it wide to Engle. Engle got past one defender and fed it inside to a hard charging center in the form of John Knab who took it to the house. Reading added their last score of the day on another penalty, bringing the score to 27-11.

It was all Philly Whitemarsh the rest of the day as they racked up 18 points in the last 20 minutes. Rosato put an exclamation point on his already big day, drilling a 42 meter penalty kick right down the middle. Engle added a try with some ankle breaking, cutback running and with Rosato’s conversion PW led 37-11. After another Rosato penalty kick, Freddie Koniecki, showing great speed from a prop, took a quick tap off a penalty and darted in from 20 meters out to cap the scoring at 45-11.

PW scored 6 tries to Reading’s 1. While the majority of the scoring came from their backline, PW’s forward pack did excellent work to win the majority of the lineouts and scrums.

Philly Whitemarsh’s home match against EPRU power Old Gaelic RFC that was scheduled for September 24th has been postponed due to weather. Next Saturday, PWRFC looks to stay unbeaten in a road match against Lehigh Valley RFC.

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