West Shore United rode an impressive second half to defeat the Jersey Cape Storm in the Eastern Penn U19 quarterfinals.

West Shore will take on the Northeast Raiders next week in the EPRU semis. These two teams have faced each other twice in the last two years in the playoffs, with West Shore winning two years ago, and Northeast winning 9-8 last year.

Asked if that loss was a motivating factor for his team, West Shore United Head Coach Sean Robinson said it was, but not because the players were upset.

“We had so many injuries last year that we weren’t sure we were able to make it that far,” Robinson told RUGBYMag.com. “So they came out of that game feeling that they had competed really well. We had nine sophomores on that team and now they are all juniors and more mature.”

Robinson said the Jersey Cape game was more competitive than the scoreline suggests, pointing out that it was only 19-7 at halftime. It was West Shore’s excellent fitness that blew the doors off late.

Outside center Aaron Skonecki continued his torrid scoring pace – he already holds the team single-season record and the career record despite being a junior. Fullback Max Williams, and captain and wing Jeff Lancione both also posted strong performances in the wing.

Also winning in the EPRU quarters were North Penn and Doylestown. In the High School Quarters, St. Joe’s Prep, St. Gregory’s, Malvern Prep, and Bishop Shanahan all won.

U19 Club 1/4 finals
#14 West Shore United 53  Jersey Cape Storm 7
Doylestown 47  Downingtown 20
Northeast Raiders 27  Carlisle Thunder 26
#13 North Penn 24  West Chester 12

High School  1/4 finals
#17 St. Joe's Prep 26 Conestoga 5
St. Gregory's Academy 17  Unionville 15
Malvern Prep 27  Salesianum 10
Bishop Shanahan 19 vs. Father Judge  7