Old Gaelic hosted D1 Potomac Exiles’ Rugby Club on a chilly and sunny Saturday at Double D Ranch. The 2020 season opener did not disappoint the home faithful.

After some back and forth action that saw both teams get within scoring range, it was Gaelic that marched down the pitch and patiently executed its goal line attack. The unselfish play was rewarded when #12 Paul Sommerville found wing Kory Harris out wide for the first of his three tries on the day.

Potomac came right back and was knocking on the door when an interception attempt went begging, and PERC marched in for the tying score. With both conversion attempts missed, the two combatants ended the first 20 minute session at a stalemate, 5-5.

With subs on in the second half Shippensburg’s Chris Armbrust took the pass from Richard “Squirrel” Recordon and dotted down. Harris’ conversion gave the home team a 12-5 lead that held through the second 20-minute session.

After two tries from the visitors to open the third period, it was the OG forwards’ turn to get in on the action. First it was lock Dante Ngo dotting down a pick, then flanker Alex Diegel took a penalty tap from Hart and found a gap on the left-hand side of the defense to put one down against his old ‘mates. That was enough to give Gaelic the lead heading into the final stand, 24-19.

In the final period, it was all hands on deck and Coach Roth put on the boots to steer the ship at 10. His veteran presence was felt as he found a gap from West Shore/Mount St. Mary’s Colby Rigg, then fed Harris for an impressive 60M try. Harris then found space again, and converted his own for a 36-19 lead. PERC would pick up the last try of the day, dotting a late one down for the final score, 36-24.

Man of the Match: Kory Harris. Kory scored three tries, but was equally impressive on defense covering ground to recover and counter a number of Exiles’ kicks to space.