Date:15 October 05
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Score: SJ-19, Brandywine-17

The SJRFC Devils moved to 2-1-1 in MARFU DII North by defeating a scrappy Lehigh Valley RFC 19-17 at Bethlehem.  The Devils B-Side continued their winning ways by dropping the Lehigh Valley Bs 17-12.

 First Game: 

 1^st Half

Lehigh Valley took advantage of several defensive miscues between the inside backs and busted some long runs to start the game off.  The third one resulted in a converted try at 8 minutes. Devils pressure led by skipper Tom Diaz/prop Gene Graf and the back row led to a Mulhall penalty kick at 22 minutes.  Lehigh Valley answered back with a penalty kick at 24 minutes. The Devils started to dominate loose play but were unable to generate any significant breaks until the 32 minute mark. A nice backs blind side move off a loose scrum set up a Devil’s line out steal. This led to a series of back and forward probes inside the Lehigh Valley 5 meter line.  After what seemed like an eternity, a forward push and ensuing maul led to a hooker Greg Van Guilder try.  Mulhall converted to make it 10-10.  Mulhall added another penalty kick to make it 13-10 Devils at the half.

 2^nd Half

The tactical kicking skills of fly-half Stephen “Sam” Mulhall, back and back row defense, lineout/scrum domination and the relentless counter attacking of fullback Tony Wood kept the Devils in good field position for most of the 2^nd half.  Greg Dover played his first A-side game at outside center and looked solid until he sprained his ankle; Mike Higgins did well in relief.  Flankers Mike Eykyn and Phil Wright were everywhere as usual. Lock JD Ackley and #8 Chris Midgely had their best games of the season.  Mulhall added two penalty kicks down the stretch but the Devil’s just couldn’t seem to get into the try zone.  An obviously biased referee and a 11-3  2^nd half  penalty count against the Devils didn’t help matters.  After a long injury time out at 80 minutes, Lehigh Valley scored a try and converted to end the match.  Final Score:  SJRFC 19-LHVRFC 17.

Notes: A DII win is a DII win.  That being said, Lehigh Valley has been struggling this season with some lopsided losses; moreover, the Devils had to be disappointed with the narrowness of the victory at this stage in the season, especially after the tough week of aqua-practice.  Injuries continue to plague the Devils.  Alex Diaz went down hard in a tackle following up a Devils break near the end of the match. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken collarbone and will be done for the season. To make matters worse, Kiwi fullback Tony Wood suffered a head injury and may be done for the season.

1. Graf
2. Van Guilder (Gallo)
3. Diaz, T (captain)
4. Lightcap (Cambell)
5. Ackley
6. Wright
7. Eykyn
8. Midgely
9. Diaz, A (Brotz)
10.  Mulhall (vice-captain)
11. Blauvelt
12. DiRomualdo
13. Dover (Higgins)
14. Tyler (Hazwezwe)
15. Wood

Tries-Van Guilder (1)

Conversions-Mulhall (1)

Penalty Kicks- Mulhall (4)

Man of the Match: Stephen A. “Sam” Mulhall

Second Game:

The SJRFC B-side moved to 4-0 and continues to be the class of MARFU DII B-Division. As usual, the Lehigh Valley B-team was primarily their A team plus a couple of stragglers they pulled off the sideline.  Nchimunya Hazwezwe scored his weekly burner try and continues to impress on the wing with some great runs and solid tackling. Corry Glover stepped into a gap like an All-Black and turned on the jets to score a 60 meter try.  Ferrari converted.  Brand new winger Anthony Fox looked like a seasoned vet in his first game and scored a nice try.  Jim Decker had a solid game at flanker.  Final Score: SJRFC “B” 17-LHVRFC “B” 12

The stage is set for a huge showdown with the 4-0 Media RFC this weekend at Evesham Rd.    

1. Gallo
2. Rock
3. Graf
4. Cambell
5. Brotz
6. Glover
7. Decker
8. Midge
9. Ferrari
10. Martin
11. Fox
12. Tyler
13. Higgins
14. Barry
15. Hazwezwe

Tries: Glover (1), Hazwezwe (1), Fox (1)

Conversions:  Ferrari (1)

Penalties: none