After a few rough weeks, both the D1 and D3 Potomac Exiles put themselves back into playoff position with two big wins over Baltimore-Chesapeake.
Division Three
Starting the game out hot after two flat starts, the D3 team set the table for the D1 boys with a convincing win. Prop Dalonte Taylor got the scoring started at 10 minutes and new center Kwesi Osei followed up at 27′ for the 12-0 nothing lead. Fellow center Cory Pugh dotted down the team’s third try, with fly half Allan Stafford hitting the conversion for the 17-0 halftime lead.
Just ten minutes into the second period, Osei made it through the defense again. J’Son Townes, in for Stafford at halftime, hit the conversion to put the hosts up 24-0. Baltimore tried to scrap back with a score at 62,’ but Townes ended any threat of the comeback with a response at 70′. Baltimore got their final try two minutes later, before Connor Burke crossed pay dirt for his first Potomac Exiles’ try. Prop Dom Smith finished up the scoring (also his first try with the club), for the final score, 36-12.
Division One
The D1 side earned a scrappy, come-from-behind win to snap out of their midseason funk. A missed tackle allowed Baltimore to jump on top as the hosts didn’t follow the lead of their D3 counterparts and again came out a bit flat. Baltimore extended their lead to 14-0 at 20′ before the Exiles finally started to execute their game plan.
Stafford, double dipping from D3 at fullback and seeing extended playing time due to injury, got the scoring started at 30′ following excellent passing and ball movement from the home team. The score would hold going into halftime, but the game’s momentum was swinging in the Exiles’ favor.
Early in the second half, Captain Jason “Dutch” Vanterpool powered through the defense. Scrum half Matt Quigley converted to close the gap to 14-12. Flanker Rob Newcombe scored two tries in the next ten minutes to give the hosts a 24-14 lead.
Baltimore finally responded at 63′ with a penalty kick to make it a one possession game, but Quigley answered with a PK of his own to give the hosts a bit more breathing room. Baltimore scored a converted try at 70′ to make the last ten minutes a tense affair, with solid defense from both sides. However, a knock-on for Baltimore in stoppage time would seal the win for the Potomac Exiles, 27-24.
-Alexander Diegel