The SJRFC Devils scored 22 unanswered points to overcome an early 21 point deficit and defeated bitter rivals Reading RFC 22-21.  This brings the Devils to 3-3-1 in MARFU DII North and guarantees them a winning Fall season. The B-Side lost a tough match 19-10 moving to 4-4 for the Fall.

 First Game: 

 1^st Half

The Devils went into the game coming off a blow-out loss to Lancaster and without skipper Tom Diaz (wedding). Fortunately, the Devils received a midweek boost with the return of former Devils standouts Chris Blake (un-retired) and Andre Biryukov (Super League Philly-Whitetrash RFC cancelled their Fall season) making their first starts of the Fall season. The Devils came out at full pace dominating the first 10 minutes and keeping play deep inside the Reading 22 meter line.  Bizarre refereeing, bad Devils back play, and timely pressure from the big yet old and slow Reading tight forwards prevented points from being scored. Led by their #8’s loose play and kicking by their #9, Reading gradually worked out of trouble and began testing the Devils back three.  At 12 minutes, Reading took a quick tap penalty at midfield and rumbled all they way into the haplessly stunned Devil’s try zone. The converted try was only the beginning; Reading continued the high balls and the response/decision making was shaky at best. A misplay and a later turnover at 20 and 24 minutes respectively led to two more Reading converted trys. This made it 21-0 Reading with almost three quarters of the game to go and the Devils looking shocked and in disarray.  At this point, it was “do or die” time. Fortunately, the Devils veterans got the team under control and forced a positive response.  Showing heart, discipline, and superior fitness, the Devils started to force Reading mistakes and turnovers. Pressure by the backrow, tough aggressive tackling by the inside backs, hard play in the loose led by look Stephan Seldenbach (he likes to be called “Alby” and that’s OK with us) and the overall brilliant play and tactical kicking of flyhalf Sam Mulhall led to a Greg Dover break and eventual Dover try at 33 minutes.  Five minutes later #8 Andre Biryukov and flanker Mike Eykyn forced a Reading winger turnover and started a long break that ended with a Biryukov converted try.  Halftime score: Reading 21-   SJRFC 12        

2^nd Half

Corry Glover, sent on at wing at half time, made an immediate impact with some solid offensive/defensive support plays to start the second half. At four minutes, Sam Mulhall slotted a penalty reducing the lead to 21-15, and putting the Devils in striking distance.  Reading responded by mounting a sustained drive that kept them inside the Devils 10 meter line for the next 5 minutes.  The Devils thwarted the pressure by tackling and scrummaging when it counted.  Mulhall finally put the Devils out of harms way with long kick to touch.  At 21 minutes, the Devils forced play down the field and set-up inside the Reading 5 meter line.  A ruck formed right in front of the posts.  Scrumhalf Chris Blake dug out the ball quickly and spun it out weak to a pack of Devils aligned left.  Biryukov put Glover away in the corner for the try.  As usual, Mulhall made the difficult conversion and the Devils pulled ahead 22-21.  With the Reading pack tiring and the Devils tight five getting stronger, play began to shift inside Reading’s half of the field.  Reading showed a few signs of life but couldn’t sustain anything and, true to recent form, began to come unraveled, fighting amongst themselves and with their own sideline.   Final Score: Devils 22-Reading 21

Notes: The hardness brought into the forwards by Alby and Biryukov definitely played a key role in the Devils comeback.  The backline was more effective with faster passing service from Blake.  Greg Dover had his breakout game at outside center.      

1. Graf, G (capt)
2. Van Gilder
3. Midgely  
4. Lightcap (Cambell)
5. Seldenbach  
6. Wright
7. Eykyn  
8. Biryukov
9. Blake
10. Mulhall
11. Nchimunya (Glover)
12. DiRomualdo  
13.  Dover
14. Tyler
15. Blauvelt

Tries-Biryukov (1), Dover (1), Glover (1)

Conversions-Mulhall (2)

Penalty Kicks- Mulhall (2)

Man of the Match: Andre Biryukov

Second Game:

As usual with Reading, the B-game featured over half of Readings A-side and they weren’t in the best of moods.  However, the Devils were un-phased.  After going down 14 –0 (almost like the A-side) they came roaring back and made it 14-10 with Hazwezwe scoring one of his burner tries and Ferrari converting and adding a penalty kick.  The Ryder/Brotz scrumhalf/#8 combination was something to marvel at all game. Under tremendous scrummaging pressure at the base, they put every difficult ball into play by either Burger taking it on or feeding and Geoff kicking.  The Devils backrow and inside backs, and wingers caught on quickly, adding pressure to the kick receivers; Unfortunately, points couldn’t be produced.   Reading added another converted try and penalty.
Final Score : Reading 24-SJRFC “B” 10                

1. Graf
2. Gallante
3. Dankanich
4. Cambell
5. Ackley
6. Scharf
7. Lightcap
8. Brotz
9. Ryder
10. Ferrari
11. Evans
12. Martin
13. Barry
14. Jim from Rowan
15. Hazwezwe

 Tries: Hazwezwe (1),

Coversions: Ferrari (1)