Men Start Spring Season with Victory – April 1st, 2019
There had been a very particular attitude in the air in the weeks leading up to the Doylestown Men Dragons’ season opener. Other teams talk of redemption games and revenge games, but the Dragons have been utterly focused on working their game plan, implementing new strategies, and testing themselves in anticipation for a long playoff run. In that light, Doylestown took on, and defeated, two MAC D1 sides in their preseason tune-ups. While the competition for the final two games of the regular season wasn’t exactly what the Dragons were looking for, these games offered a serious opportunity to improve upon their conditioning, game experience, and test new players.
The weather, and the day itself, could not have been more perfect. The temperature creeped above 70 degrees and the men flocked to the field early to root on the Doylestown Women’s Rugby Club. The ladies secured a much needed victory as they hope to sneak into the playoffs with a strong spring performance. The tone was set by the women and the fans. The Men of Doylestown did not want to disappoint.
Suffice it to say, they came out firing on all cylinders. Fifteen minutes into the game and Dave Kornock had already scored a dominating hat trick, with two of the trys coming off special moves by newcomer Bruce Dolan, making his inaugural start in his first game with Doylestown. He made his presence known with a try of his own later in the half to pair with a handful of delicious plays, including a cheeky offload to set Matt Hartwell up for his share of the scoring. The play was truly impressive for Doylestown. With only brief spells spent inside their own half, the scoring was frequent, not unlike last the last two seasons of divisional games. Dylan Hamilton went 5-9 on conversions in the first 40. The remaining trys were scored by the triumvirate of forwards in Eric French, Aaron Green, Kevin Reilly Sr, while one was dotted down by Hamilton himself. The score at half was Doylestown 52-3 North Penn.
Substitutions were rotated aggressively in the second half as roster decisions are getting more and more difficult for the coaching staff to make on a weekly basis. The goal is identifying the playoff roster and no spot is safe. The culture being fostered around this concept is one that truly helps to set the Dragons above their competition. Massive improvements have been made as compared to last season in this regard. Scoring slowed down significantly in the last 40 but the time of possession didn’t waver. Even during a spell where the Dragons were down 15 men to 13 due to two untimely yellow cards, the dominant play didn’t subside. Scoring was rounded out with a try apiece from flanker Dylan Pellegrino and, the man, the myth, the legend, Kevin Hockings. Who looked none the worse for wear leading up to the playoff push. Dylan Hamilton and Dave Kornock each notched a successful conversion. The final score was 66-10 and Dave Kornock was named Man of the Match.
Respect has to be given to The Iron Lions of North Penn who stuck in the game until the end, scored the final try and conversion of the game, and enjoyed a hearty drink up on the sidelines with smiles on their faces.
Next weekend the Men Dragons will be taking on Lehigh Valley at home at 1PM. With a win next weekend Doylestown will secure their second straight undefeated regular season!
Up the Dragons!
Match Summary
5-0 Dave Kornock Try
10-0 Dave Kornock Try
12-0 Dylan Hamilton CV
17-0 Dave Kornock Try
19-0 Dylan Hamilton CV
19-3 North Penn PK
24-3 Eric French Try
29-3 Bruce Dolan Try
31-3 Dylan Hamilton CV
36-3 Matt Hartwell Try
38-3 Dylan Hamilton CV
43-3 Aaron Green Try
45-3 Dylan Hamilton CV
50-3 Kevin Reilly Sr. Try
52-3 Dylan Hamilton Try
HALF TIME
57-3 Dylan Pellegrino Try
59-3 Dylan Hamilton CV
64-3 Kevin Hockings Try
66-3 Dave Kornock CV
66-10 North Penn Try+CV
FULL TIME
Man of the Match: Dave Kornock
Game next week at home against Lehigh Valley
