Doylestown Rugby Football Club News – May 19, 2025
Men’s Team
On Saturday, May 17, 2025, the Doylestown Rugby Football Club Men’s Team played their final 15’s competition of their spring season, a friendly match at home against the Lehigh Valley Hooligans.
The Dragons had 25 players available on what was a beautiful Saturday for rugby. Several college players joined the ranks, to mix in with some seasoned veterans, with all rostered players making meaningful contributions on the field.
The first half was a battle, neither team willing to give much ground, with most of the half being played around midfield. Matthew Frederick punched in a try after Doylestown strung together a number of phases to capitalize on Lehigh Valley mistakes. Doylestown’s other try of the half was the result of crafty play between Christopher Muniz and Kevin Reilly, with Kevin McCormack scoring to finish the play. Doylestown led 14-5 at half.
In the second half, the Dragons’ disciplined attack led to multiple line breaks and a massive possession advantage for Doylestown. Tries were scored in the second half by Kevin Hockings, Matt Frederick, Kevin Reilly, Liam Frayne, and Dante Burns. Fionn O’Toole could not miss on conversions, making all seven of his conversion kicks on the day.
The final score was Doylestown 49 – Lehigh Valley 12. For his sharp work with the ball on offense and outstanding kicking performance, the Man of the Match was Fionn O’Toole. Dominating running and tackling in the middle of the field saw Liam Frayne rewarded with the Hard Hat.
The Men’s Team will now shift their focus to playing 7’s this summer after a successful spring season. All are invited to come out on Thursdays at 6:30 pm throughout the summer to play 7’s. All are welcome, regardless of experience level, to get a run in. Hope to see you there.
High School Boys’ Team
The Doylestown Rugby Academy High School Boys’ Team faced 2-time defending State Champion, Gregory the Great Academy (GGA), in the RugbyPA State Championship at Penn State-Berks on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The opening 15 minutes of the match proved that these were the two best teams in the state and two of the best in the entire country. Doylestown opened the scoring with a try by Bailey O’Malley out wide after the forwards crashed time and again into GGA’s defense. Jamie Weir then kicked a penalty to make the score 10-0. GGA answered with their own penalty kick to make the score 10-3. Liam Hoey then scored with 1 minute left in the half to make the score 17-3 at the break. It was a great half by Doylestown. However, GGA typically only gets stronger in the second half of matches and they would have the wind the entire second half.
Doylestown completely changed the game plan due to the wind. The Dragons decided to crash with their forwards, regardless of field position. The goal was to starve GGA of possession. The plan worked to perfection. Flanker, Nick Miletto scored two long tries with amazing individual effort in the second half. Doylestown led 29-8 with 3 minutes to go and victory was secured. GGA punched in two well-earned tries in the final 3 minutes to close the scoring at 29-22 and a State Championship for the Doylestown Boys’ High School Team! Doylestown’s defense was dominant all match and was led by lock, Brandon Zubyk, and scrumhalf, Jackson Reilly. Try scorers were: Nick Miletto (2), Bailey O’Malley (1), and Liam Hoey (1). Jamie Weir kicked 3 conversions and made one penalty kick. Gregory the Great Academy had 3 tries, 2 conversions, and 1 penalty kick.
Photo Above: Doylestown High School Boys’ Team and coaches
Match Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnaM2wN1kiA
High School Girls’ Team
The Doylestown Rugby Academy High School Girls’ Team is the RugbyPA State Champion! In a “nail biter” match on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Penn State-Berks, the Dragons defeated Downingtown Girls 26-19. Try scorers were: Siena Accardi (1), Jocelyn Terry (1), Leah Cipollo (1), and Paisley Davey (1). Nolah Flynn made 3 conversions. Sana’a Lunon, Bridget McGonigle, and Noelle Robinson made excellent tackles, saving what would have been tries by Downingtown. It was a great team effort all year and the hard work paid off. An additional honor for the team was that co-captain Nolah Flynn was named RugbyPA Player of the Year (girls). The girls will next participate in the EGRL Championships at Bundt Park in New Jersey on June 7, 2025.
Photo Above: Doylestown High School Girls’ Team and coaches
Match Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgUuqOdv5sw
U16 Boys’ Team
The Doylestown Rugby Academy U16 Boys’ Team faced Elizabethtown in their RugbyPA State Championship match on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Penn State-Berks. The first 10 minutes of the match belonged to Elizabethtown, as they crashed into Doylestown’s defense and threatened to score multiple times. Doylestown turned them away and was able to establish their own attack at the 10-minute mark and score their first try of the match. At that point, the floodgates opened, and Doylestown poured in the tries, leading 33-0 at halftime. Doylestown pushed the lead to 38-0 early in the second half and was able to empty their bench. Elizabethtown put in two tries of their own in the second half. The final score was 38-14 and a State Championship for the Doylestown U16 Boys! Try scorers for Doylestown were: Cross Cervellero (2), Gavin Sailer (1), Nick Warren (1), Finn Haddon (1), and Finn Riley (1). Jake Beckenhauer kicked 4 conversions.
Photo Above: Doylestown U16 Boys’ Team and coaches
Match Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM9s5pfijYQ
For more information about Doylestown Rugby Football Club, go to www.doylestownrugby.com
