This weekend, the Erie Men's A and B-Sides started their Fall 2009 campaign with a bang...downing the South Pittsburgh Hooligans by a score of 19-6 in the "A" game, and tying 10-10 in the "B" game (see match reports below).

The Erie Men's teams head south next weekend to play the Westmoreland Highlanders, a longtime division rival. Check back early next week for a full match report and scores!

Thank you to all Erie RFC fans and supporters who come out and make this all possible!!

A Game

South Pitt started off strong, challenging every loose ball and winning all but 1 first-half scrummage. After giving up (2) costly penalties from deep inside Erie territory, South Pitt took an early 6-0 lead, after converting both penalty kicks. The Erie boy's were finally able to turn things around with a late first-half try by Erie Flyhalf Adam Mook (#10). Erie #8, Shane Hoyne, was able to convert...leaving South Pitt down 7-6. Minutes later, Shane Hoyne was able to sneak in for Erie's second try of the game. After missing the conversion, Erie went into halftime with a 12-6 lead.

After losing most of our own scrummages in the first half, Erie made some key adjustments and were able to solidify the lineup for what would be a great 40 minutes of rugby. With relentless attacks from the South Pitt forwards, the Erie boy's held strong in a 5-minute goal-line stand...before kicking our way out of trouble. Just as the 80th minute rang in, Erie Fullback Nate "Nasty" Moore caught a deep kick from South Pitt Flyhalf, Shawn Mars. With time expired, he was able to sprint in and out of the South Pitt defense, dishing a last-minute try to Erie Wing, Kevin Jackson, to seal the deal.

Erie A Side Lineup: 1. Phil Gallegher, 2. Zach Kracjowski, 3. Austin White (c), 4. Mike McKenzie, 5. Bob Nelson, 6. Gary Oliver, 7. Phil Sciaretta, 8. Shane Hoyne, 9. Tom Tredway, 10. Adam Mook, 11. Casey Jones, 12. Matt Verga (cc), 13. Billy Kruzewski, 14. Kevin Jackson, 15. Nate Moore, 16. Greg Farrell, 17. Pat Barrett, 18. Kevin Bugaj, 19. Darren Conway, 20. Alex Francani, 21. Brett Schafer, 22. Keith Gebhart

B Game

The second match looked to be very lop-sided almost from the time of kick-off. South Pitt were able to break through and around our defense for (2) unanswered tries within the first 5 minutes of play. Erie held strong though, and went into half-time down 10-0.

In the final half, the Erie boy's were able to shake off the dust and mount a few serious attacks. Erie Center, Alex Francani, was able to break through the South Pitt defense to score Erie first try of the game...leaving the score 10-5. After a few more minutes of play, Erie struck again when Erie Wing Ryan Kruzewski scored Erie's second and final try of the day...leaving the score tied at 10 apiece.

Erie B Side Lineup: 1. Phil Gallegher, 2. Dale Bokshan, 3. Len Weidner, 4. Brett Shafer, 5. Keith Gebhart, 6. Dicky ?, 7. John Lesneiwski, 8. Matt Verga, 9. Josh Jaeger, 10. Darren Conway, 11. Matt Cortavano, 12. Alex Francani, 13. Casey Jones, 14. Dean ?, 15. Ryan Kruzewski