The Doylestown men’s rugby team defeated defending champion Schuylkill River D3 20-13 for the Lentz Cup on Saturday, April 29, in Wilmington, Del.
Unfamiliar with the Schuylkill River game-style, the Dragons were sure to face very physical opponents, eager to defend their Lentz Cup title. However, from the opening kickoff, Doylestown took quick advantage of a clinical poach by Kevin Reilly, allowing Brian Kelnhofer to score the first try within the opening seconds of the match. Eric French added another try shortly after that, making it 10-0.
Schuylkill River, being one of the top competitors in the Philadelphia region, rallied back to keep possession of the ball in the Doylestown half for over 25 minutes, continuously applying pressure. However, Doylestown came out the moral victors, only allowing a penalty kick made by Schuylkill River to make it 10-3. Moments before closing the half, Brian Stella made a remarkable solo effort down the field, eventually off-loading to Kelnhofer for another try in the corner, making it 15-3 at halftime.
The second half opened right where the first half left off, from a physical battle back and forth across the pitch, with strong defensive effort on both sides. Eventually, Schuylkill River tagged in two unconverted tries to make the game 15-13, with a little less than 15 minutes to play. Just seven minutes later, the Doylestown forwards continued to show their strength, as they mauled from a line-out at the Schuylkill River 5-meter line over the touch line and Scott Neff placed the ball down, making the score 20-13. With eight minutes to play, the Schuylkill River players were determined to level the score, hoping for overtime. However, the Dragons kept their strong defensive structure to hold out Schuylkill River and win the game.
The Man of the Match was Kelnhofer. The team thanks the Doylestown fans for their endless support.
In an away league match on April 30, the Doylestown Rugby Academy high school boys team lost a close match to St. Joe’s Prep. The final score was 26-31.
Try scorers for Doylestown were Gavin Koch (one), Cade Aivazian (one), Brecken Schmidt (one) and Reagan McCullough (one). Bailey O’Malley kicked three conversions. Doylestown will play in the first round of the RugbyPA State Championships on Sunday.
The Doylestown Rugby Academy High School girls team took on Downingtown on April 30 in an away league match. Doylestown narrowly defeated Downingtown, 12-11, in a torrential downpour.
Captain Maddie Doyle scored two tries and Nolah Flynn made one conversion. Flynn was named Woman of the Match, as her conversion put the Dragons on top for the victory. The Doylestown Rugby Academy middle school girls team played the Downingtown girl’s developmental team and held their own against a mostly older team, falling 15-0.
MJ Cashman, Vivian Foley, Fiona Bonenberger, Saylor George, Shiane Young, Emma Miller, Payton Moccia, Emily Kremser, and Leah Cipollo all had great tackles, strong rucks, and hard runs. Doylestown will take on Play Rugby USA at the home pitch, Maennerchor Field, 3650 Cold Spring Creamery Road, Doylestown, on Sunday.
The Doylestown Rugby Academy junior boys team defeated Media on April 30, in a home league match. The Dragons led at halftime, 50-0. The finals score was 74-5.
Try scorers for the Dragons were: Joey Craig (three), Timmy Fuhrmeister (three), Aaron Kelly (two), Ben Kix (one), Jackson Hornick (one), Marco Burns (one) and Louie Cipollo (one). Conversions were kicked by Joey Craig (six) and Marco Burns (one).
The next league match will be played against Montgomery Bucks at the home pitch, Maennerchor Field, on Sunday.
On April 30, the Doylestown Rugby Academy youth boys team continued its winning ways by defeating Media in a home league match. At halftime, the Dragons led 46-0. The final score was 56-0.
Try scorers for Doylestown were: Cross Cervellero (three), Roman Wade (two), Billy Stahl (one), Quinn Fragner (one), Conor Cassidy (one), Brady Flynn (one) and Brady Meehan (one). Conor Cassidy kicked three conversions.
The final league match will be played against Montgomery Bucks at Maennerchor Field on Sunday.
For information, visit www.doylestownrugby.com.
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