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Cumberland Valley Wins Dramatic RugbyPa Clash

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Cumberland Valley Wins Dramatic RugbyPa Clash

Graham Arnall photo.

Cumberland Valley had all sorts of problems with Rugby Pennsylvania rivals COnestoga and needed a last-second penalty goal from flyhalf Alex Spenceley to win Sunday's game 18-17.

This game was a rematch of the 2014 state semifinal won by Cumberland Valley. Both teams entered the match undefeated in league play. 

Conestoga jumped out to an early 7-0 lead with a nifty lineout move five meters from the goalline two minutes into the match. A Spenceley penalty put Cumberland Valley on the board midway through the first half to make it 7-3. Conestoga replied, quick-tapping after they were awarded a free kick from a feeding-the-scrum infraction. That led to a try, and then a Conestoga penalty led to a quick-tap from Cumberland Valley and a try. Conestoga led 12-8 at halftime.

Both teams played tough defense in the second half, and the game remained 12-8 until the last six minutes. Cumberland Valey's Jack Abom sprinted 40 meters for a try under the posts to put his side up 15-12. Conestoga marched right back into CV territory. They stole a Cumberland lineout ball and went over for the 17-15 lead with two minutes to go. On the ensuing restart, Cumberland Valley forwards counter-rucked to win the ball and forced a diving-over penalty. That set up Spenceley's penalty attempt, and the flyhalf slotted the kick to win the game.

Cumberland Valley improves to 2-0 in the RugbyPa Single-School White, and Conestoga drops to 1-1.