Cumberland Valley Holds Off Rivals
Cumberland Valley Holds Off Rivals
Cumberland Valley and West Shore United renewed their annual neighborhood rivalry Thursday night under the lights at West Shore Stadium, and the game ended in classic fashion, with Cumberland Valley holding off a determined West Shore comeback to prevail 12-10.
Both teams were solid in maintaining possession, with play in the first 20 minutes in CV’s end. Forwards continued to play solid defense around the breakdowns and West Shore could not break the defensive line. Momentum started to shift and after a successful lineout, Kaynon Vilaychith took a pass from scrumhalf Brandon Shumberger and weaved his way 50 meters through the middle of the field for a try. CV continued to pressure and quick tap, precipitating a penalty and CV elected to a kick to a lineout from 5 meters out. The well-executed lineout to back jumper Ryan Belga became a maul and then a try for Gavin Zeigler, putting CV up 12-0 just before halftime. The conversion by Zeigler was the kick that became the difference in the match.
West Shore stormed out of the gates in the second half, maintaining possession and constant pressure. CV’s fitness and tackling were tested and, in the end, passed the test. As the temperature of the match increased, so did the poor passing by both teams. CV withstood intense attack after attack as West Shore was determined to avenge the loss from 2015. But while West Shore scored twice, both tries were out wide, making the conversion kicks too difficult. West Shore had time for one more, but CV's Ian Petrillo rumbled 20 meters to the middle of the field to relieve some pressure, and the game ended.
Cumberland Valley's JVs ran out to a 15-0 lead thanks to tries from Michael Boarman, Seamus Hanrahan, and Steve Svitko. In the second half the game was a little closer, but Svitko scored his second to seal the 22-5 CV JV win.