The Doylestown Rugby Football Club men’s team took the pitch at the Maennerchor Field against historical rivals Blackthorn RFC on March 16.
The weather, a nice 55 degrees with subtle wind and sunny; the perfect day for quality rugby. After their win last week against Lehigh Valley, the Dragons were very optimistic about this match and came out prepared and fired up.
At the sound of the whistle, the ball was kicked and the battle commenced. At the five-minute mark, the Dragons had Blackthorn pinned in their own try zone. Blackthorn tried to move the ball, but it was intercepted by Kevin Belmont who touched it down. The Dragons took the lead, 5-0.
After some back and forth, Kevin Hockings managed to break away and get into the try zone for another score. Hockings also made the conversion, putting Doylestown ahead 12-0. In the first half, the Dragons were active and aggressive. Blackthorn, being worthy opponents, put up a solid battle, but at the end of the half, the Dragons were leading 27-0. Additional trys were scored by Hockings, Shawn Williams and Eric French.
Coach Jeremy Ault brought the men together and had some words during the halftime: “Follow the game plan, work together, and don’t give up.” The Dragons took that to heart.
After seven minutes, Williams again found himself in the try zone. Score check: 32-0 Dragons. The battle raged on and Blackthorn did their best to keep up. They had several line breaks and did everything they could to keep Doylestown in check. However, after trys by Julio Marsiglia, Greg Wolfie, Jack Catterall and Matt Frederick, with two additional conversions by Kevin Hockings, the Dragons emerged victorious with a final score of 56-0.
The Man of the Match was Williams. The Hard Hat Player of the Match was Prince St. Cyr. The next match for Doylestown will be away at South Jersey on Saturday, March 23. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
The Doylestown Rugby Football Club women’s team traveled to Northeast Philadelphia on March 16 to play the NE Irish Women. The Dragons lost in a nail biter, 15-19. Trys were scored by Shana Robinson, Morgan Stiffler and Holland Moriarty. Doylestown will travel to Phoenixville on March 23 to take on Phoenixville Whitehorse Women.
On March 17, the Doylestown Rugby Academy high school boys team hosted St. Joe’s Prep at the home pitch, the Maennerchor Field, in the league opener. The A side fell to St. Joe’s 10-24. Trys were scored by Gavin Koch and Nick Vyvlecka.
The B side Dragons lost to visiting St. Joe’s 7-29. Ben Kix scored the lone try for Doylestown, with Aaron Kelly kicking the conversion. Doylestown will play Berks at home on Sunday, March 24.
The Doylestown Rugby Academy high school girls team took on Morris Girls on March 10, in muddy, wet mess on the home pitch. The girls fell to Morris 12-19. Jocelyn Terry and Bridget McGonigle scored one try each. Nolah Flynn made one conversion. The girls participated in an EGRL Showcase at Guilford College in North Carolina on March 16 and 17.
The high school girls team will travel to Corning, N.Y., to play in an EGRL league match on March 24.
On March 10, the Doylestown Rugby Academy middle school girls team defeated Morris Middle School Girls 24-5 in a home match. Ashley Kelly, Fiona Pirrello, Kayla Robinson and Mackenzie Harriet-Clay each scored a try. Robinson also made two conversions. The middle school girls team will travel to play in Corning, N.Y., on March 24.
The Doylestown Rugby Academy junior team (eighth and ninth grade) had their first preseason match on March 17 at La Salle College High School and came away with a 50-17 victory. At halftime, the score was 24-0. Try scorers for the Dragons were: Jack Sugalski (two), Liam Laphen (one), Chris Imperato (one), Davis Parisi (one), Jackson Reilly (one), Louie Cipollo (one) and Jamie Weir (one). Weir kicked five conversions. La Salle had three trys and one conversion.
On March 24, the Doylestown juniors will head to Elizabethtown for their second and final preseason match.
On March 17, the Doylestown Rugby Academy youth team won their first preseason game in an away match against Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Youth Rugby. This is the first season for the Philly-Whitemarsh Youth Rugby team. The score at halftime was 34-0 in favor of Doylestown. In the end, Doylestown’s experience and superior play resulted in a final score of 65-7. Try scorers for the Dragons were: Jonah Khanan (four), Conor Cassidy (two), Reid Charlesworth (two), Brendan Frey (one), Mario Palena (one) and Harry Imperato (one). Conor Cassidy kicked five conversions.
The youth team will travel to Elizabethtown on March 24 to play the current RugbyPA State Champions, Elizabethtown Blues.
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