Doylestown Rugby Football Club News – October 14, 2024
Men’s Team
On a hot Saturday afternoon, October 12, 2024, the Doylestown Rugby Club Men’s Team traveled to Media for the fourth league match of the 2024-2025 season. For probably the first time this fall, the Dragons had an almost full roster.
Doylestown knew it was going to be a hard battle against Media. The match got underway at 1:00 p.m. Even though Doylestown received the kick out of the gate, it was Media who put up the first score. Doylestown’s defense was lagging and this would foreshadow what was to come.
After 17 minutes of play, Doylestown was behind 0-14. A minute later, Vice-Captain, Shannon Pearson, put 5 points on the board. Media kept running up the score and it was not until the 39th minute that Chris Muniz was able to add more points for Doylestown. After a successful conversion kick by Breck Zwanch to end the half, Doylestown trailed 12-33.
The coaches had words to say at halftime. However, this “huddle” set off a different vibe. Everyone seemed to know how to turn the match around. They were ready to go out fighting. Within 5 minutes of the second half, Media continued their scoring trend. Now the score was 12-40. At that moment, the Dragons set a new goal to score two more trys. The scoring system is based on table points. If any team scores 4 trys in a match, it receives a bonus point even if that team loses the match. So, to get a bonus point, Doylestown needed to score 2 more trys.
After a lot of back and forth, and Media racking up the score, Doylestown finally made their way back into the try zone. Veteran player, Doug Ortiz, showed the young men how it is done. Just one more score and Doylestown, even though losing, would get a bonus point for the day. Rookie, Jason Lobban, had a run and dotted the ball down at the final minute. After Fionn O’Toole made the conversion, the final score was Doylestown 24 – Media 66. The Man of the Match was Thaison Nguyen. The Hard Hat award went to Fionn O’Toole.
The Dragons fought hard, but were not victorious this time. With a bye next week, Doylestown plans on having two solid weeks of practice (check social media for practice information) to get ready for a home match on DTOWN ALUMNI DAY against the Lancaster Roses. DTOWN ALUMNI DAY will have a women’s match, followed by the men’s match, along with food, beverages, merch, and a bounce house. For a great time, stop by Maennerchor Field in Doylestown during DTOWN ALUMNI DAY on October 26, 2024.
Women’s Team
In a home match on Saturday, October 12, 2024, the Doylestown Rugby Club Women’s Team lost to Monmouth Women (NJ) by a score 0-28. The women played hard and controlled the ball half the time. Monmouth capitalized on newer outside players for Doylestown. The Women’s Team next travels to Phoenixville to take on Whitehorse Rugby on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Friendship Field.
High School Boys’ Team
The Doylestown High School Boys’ Team traveled over to the latest RugbyPa tournament held in Lancaster on Sunday, October 13, 2024. Rostering only 10 players, the boys fought hard ending the Knightmares 7’s tournament with a record of 2-3 on the day. Next week they plan on attending the Conestoga 7’s Tournament.
High School and Middle School Girls’ Teams
The Doylestown Rugby Academy High School and Middle School Girls’ Teams continued their dominance in the latest RugbyPa tournament held in Lancaster on Sunday, October 13, 2024. High School Team 1 went 4-0, defeating Knightmares, West Carroll, Conestoga, and Downingtown. Try scorers for the day were Leah Cipollo (4), Kayla Robinson (3), Nolah Flynn (3), Siena Accardi (2), Allie Beckenhauer (2), and Bridget McGonigle (1). Flynn made 9 conversions and Robinson made 2. High School Team 2 went 2-1 for the day against West Chester, Berks County, and Downingtown. Try scorers were Nora Rosenburg (3), Makenzie Harriet-Clay (3), MJ Cashman (2), Vivian Foley (2), Erin Deluca (2), Fiona Bonenberger (1), Maddie Rosato (1), Tessa Beckenhauer (1), Fiona Pirrello (1) and Shiane Young (1). Bonenberger added 9 conversions and Terra Beckenhauer added 1. Kayla Robinson got the Dragon Award (MVP of the tournament) and Nolah Flynn got the Hit Chain Award for her great tackling. The High School Teams will travel to Conestoga on Sunday, October 20, to play in the Conestoga Tournament.
The Middle School Team went 3-0 against Knightmares, Coventry, and West Carroll. Try scorers were MJ Cashman (4), Terra Beckenhauer (3), Vivian Foley (2), Izzy Beckenhauer (2), and Tessa Beckenhauer (1). Joey Sabo added 3 conversions. MJ Cashman got the Dragon Award and Madelyn Jefferson got the Hit Chain Award for her hard hitting. The Middle School Team will travel to Morris (NJ) on Sunday, October 20, 2024, to participate in a middle school tournament.
First picture: Kayla Robinson and Nolah Flynn
Second picture: Madelyn Jefferson and MJ Cashman
For more information about Doylestown Rugby Football Club, go to www.doylestownrugby.com
