EPRU Newsletter
Downingtown Wins Battle for the Brandywine
This year’s “Battle for the Brandywine” ended up looking as if both teams had gone swimming in the river instead of playing rugby yesterday. Soggy conditions and driving rain were the order of the day as Downingtown kicked off against divisional rival Unionville. (see EPRU Girls league standings)
The rain never seemed to slow, and the players on both sides were forced to make slippery tackles all day long. Downingtown jumped on the board early with a quick score down the sideline from wing Madi Gegeckas. Wing Taylor Jones offered up the second score off of an overload down the left side of the field. Center Kara Kolar placed a third try between the posts right before halftime, and the conversion after by captain and Kicker Mary Cate Matta gave the Downingtown Girls a 17-0 halftime lead.
Conditions worsened in the second half, and tackling and rucking became sloppy. The Downingtown forwards were forced to continually match up with the Unionville pack as forward play dominated most of the second half. The Downingtown defense was solid and continually won the ball back giving Downingtown more opportunities to score. Rachel Marbach streaked in a score off of a designed penalty play, then strong side flanker Arden Blumenthal broke through the Unionville defense and scored under the posts. One final try was scored in the corner by center Ashley Palmieri. The final whistle was blown amid a mass of soaking wet and tired rugby players, and Downingtown had notched another win by a score of 36-0. This continues the undefeated season that the ladies from Downingtown have worked so hard to achieve thus far, and adds another talented opponent to the list of the teams that Downingtown has held scoreless this season. It was a great game on an otherwise terrible day. Downingtown is back at home this week with a matchup against Media United.
Brad Allen of the EPRRS officiated the match.
Downingtown Girls @ Unionville Girls
