Bulls 2009 Season Match Reports

vs. Doylestown 03/15/09

  We traveled up to Doylestown on a perfect day to play rugby with a very raw team.  Only one member of this squad had every played a full season of rugby let alone seen a rugby ball.  So with great anticipation we took on one the east coast's strongest programs.  The score did show the we were in a against a pretty good opponent, but it did not show the heart and determination of the Bulls.  We battled until the very end, and at times show the potential that we have.  We need to take this game and the lessons learned and help to make us a stronger team.

Men of the Match:  Pat & Ryan Campbell

Team: Ryan Campbell, Stas Starovoytov, Casey Dooley, Sean McMaster, Matt Gruskin, Ryan Moyers, Frank Bingham (c), Chris Brill, John Heffelfinger, Cory Schwezier, Chris Coulter, Pat Campbell, Kyle Gibbons, Bob Devonshire, Austin Glenwright

 Subs:  Zohair Ailiani, Jeremiah Ledise, CJ Kendel, John Finnell

vs. Doylestown Bs 

  Austin scored our first of many trys of this young season, on a great movement were many hands helped move the ball into scoring position.   

Men of the Match: Austin Glenwright

Team: Ryan Campbell, Stas Starovoytov, Casey Dooley, Sean McMaster, Matt Gruskin, Zohair Ailiani, Chris Brill, Jeremiah Ledise, Frank Bingham, Brian Mac, Cory Goodman, Bob Devonshire, John Finnell, CJ Kendel, Justin Wilt

 Subs:  Austin Glenwright, Kyle Gibbons, Pat Campbell, Cory Schwezier

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vs. Father Judge 3/22/08

What a difference a week makes,  The Bulls looked like a rugby team on the pitch.  The score didn't turn out in our favor but we finally played with some aggression and moved the ball and threatened Father Judge's goal line on several occasions in the second half.  If not for some unlucky breaks the score would have indicated how close the match really was towards the end.  

In the scrums we won most of our put ins and took at least half of theirs, great job front row.  We also improved on our rucking, the key to this was that we got to the ball first with numbers.  

Great job guys lets take what we have gained in this match and keep the momentum going this Sunday against Blackthorn

Men of the Match:  The Front Row: Ryan Campbell, Frank Bingham (c), Casey Dooley

Team: Ryan Campbell, Frank Bingham (c), Casey Dooley, Sean McMaster, Matt Gruskin, Ryan Moyer, Stas Starovoytov, Chris Brill, Pat Campbell, Cory Schwezier, Chris Coulter, Bob Devonshire, Kyle Gibbons, CJ Kendel, Austin Glenwright

 Subs:  Zohair Ailiani, Dan Taylor,  Brian McCall, John Finnell

vs. Father Judge Bs 

Man of the Match: Austin Glenwright

Team: Ryan Campbell, Frank Bingham (c), Matt Gruskin, Charlie Lyman, Zohair Ailiani, Kyle Gibbons, Austin Glenwright, Sean McMaster, Mark Vella, Brian McCall, Cory Goodman, Mark Costello, John Finnell, CJ Kendel, Cory Schwezier,

Subs:  Ryan Moyer

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vs. Blackthorn 03/29/09

What started out as a foggy and misty morning with threats of thunder showers, actually turned out to be a beautiful day to play rugby.  The Hibernian Bulls are down in numbers due to injuries, came out and played a very strong game match against Blackthorn.  

In the first half we were slow to start this allowed the visitors to score an early try, the Bulls did answer back with a score of their own.  After pinning their opponents deep in their own end on the ensuing kick off, they mounted a series of forward drives that sent Chris Brill in for the first team score of the season. Shortly after the score our captain, Pat Campbell, went down after delivering a hard tackle with a shoulder separation. After Pat went out we were unable to hold the momentum and allowed two more trys by Blackthorn, one of which was converted.  As the half was coming to a close the Bulls were again on the attack, after several attempts at the opponents goal line (including one of Chris Coulter's brilliant runs) Blackthorn was awarded a 5 meter scrum.  When the Blackthorn flyhalf attempted a clearing kick, Ryan Moyers charged in and blocked the kick, recovering in goal for our second try.  What a play, just boost we needed at the end of the half.

The second half saw the Bulls start up where they left off applying pressure, with Chris continuing to find space in the centers and Ryan Campbell rumbling up the sidelines.  From a ruck close to goal, Jake feed Alex Sikora on a punch and he burst in for our third try of the day.  We were unable to hold the momentum in the middle part of the second half, again allowing Blackthorn to come back and score two more trys, one of which was converted.  Not conceding anything the Bulls sprang back to life and began to mount some pressure with some hard rucking and quick ball out to the backs.  Blackthorn regained possession of the ball inside their 22 meter line and launch a clearing kick which Austin was able to cover and mount a successful counter attack.  With the ball now deep in enemy territory Jake again sent Alex in for a score off a punch.  Time ran out after the missed conversion attempt.

Although the score didn't work out in our favor, the boys have shown some tremendous improvement.  I was very proud of their effort and the skills they have displayed out on the rugby field. 

Special thanks go out to all the very generous people who have helped out these past couple of weeks with food for the after match feast and the cleaning of the jerseys (Schweizer, Glenwright, Gibbon, Bingham and Moyers Families Thank You for the Hibernian Coaches

Man of the Match: Alex Sikora

Team: Zohair Ailiani, Alex Sikora, Casey Dooley, Chris Brill, Matt Gruskin, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, John Heffelfinger, Cory Schwezier, Chris Coulter, Pat Campbell (c), Kyle Gibbons, CJ Kendel, Austin Glenwright

 Subs:  Vince Granieri

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vs. St Gregory 04/05/09

St Gregory put on a clinic on how to play the game of rugby for the inexperienced visiting  Bulls.  That's not to say the Bulls didn't have there moments in the match.  I did see good examples of counter attacks when defending their kicking barrage.  I also saw a team that didn't give up at any point in the match, or resort to dirty play during the match.  This showed great character.  Tackling was our biggest enemy in the match and when we did bring their runners down, they beats to the break down in numbers.  Jake went down (Luckily it wasn't his shoulder) near the half and Mark Vella did a good job filling in for him.  

Man of the Match:  Chris Brill

Team: Chris Brill, Casey Dooley, Zohair Ailiani,  Sean McMasters, Matt Gruskin, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, John Heffelfinger, Cory Schwezier (c), Cory Goodman, Kyle Gibbons, Bob Devonshire, Vince Granieri, Austin Glenwright

 Subs: Mark Vella

vs. St Gregory B

The B Match turned out to be a lot different then the first match.  The reenergized Bulls were able to ruck with authority and move the ball up and down the field at will.  All of our trys in this match were scored off of second phase ball.  The  only score of the first half saw Ryan Moyers take the ball on a hammer close to the goal line and drive in for the unconverted try (great work by the all the forwards).

The second half began as much like the first half with the Bulls drive the ball at will.  With the ball about 20 meters out from goal, we quickly got the ball to the backs and feed inside center Kyle Gibbons for the unconverted try.  We had a bit of a let down midway through this half and allowed St Gregs to score an unconverted try.  The boys did finish up on a positive note when in the same position as earlier in the half another quick ball got out to the backs on a Hands call with fullback Austin Glenwright touching down in goal for the unconverted try.

Although we have not made a ton of penalty or conversion kicks Ryan Campbell (Filling in for his brother Pat) has made some very good attempts at the posts.  Everyone of his attempts have been struck very well, we've just been a little of the mark.  

Men of the Match: Ryan Moyers, Kyle Gibbons & Austin Glenwright

Team: Chris Brill, Casey Dooley, Zohair Ailiani,  Sean McMasters, Matt Gruskin, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, Mark Vella, Cory Schwezier (c), Cory Goodman, Kyle Gibbons, Bob Devonshire, Vince Granieri, Austin Glenwright

 Subs:

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vs. Northeast Raiders (Archbishop Ryan)  04/09/09

This was our first action under the lights this year at Poplar Park, and the boys were ready to show that last weeks match at St. Greg's was a fluke.  This was also the first time for Head Coach Greg Mininger of the Northeast Raiders, a former Hibernian U19er, to face off against his former Coach Castner, at his old playing ground Poplar Park.  

Both teams played a very open brand of rugby, with lots of end to end action.  The Raiders were able to score two hard trys in the first half.  The Raiders continued their dominance in the second half and scored three more unanswered trys.

Although, the score doesn't reflect it this was a much better game than last weeks, match in Moscow, PA.  The boys played together and were able to move the ball, but just were not able to finish off any scoring opportunities.

So the former Hibo U19er bested his old coach, it won't be the last time these two will meet.

Man of the Match: Vince Granieri

Team:  Matt Gruskin, Alex Sikora, Casey Dooley, Chris Brill, Sean McMasters, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, Mark Vella, Cory Schwezier (c), Vince Granieri, Pat Campbell, Kyle Gibbons, Chris Coulter, Brian McC

 Subs:  

vs. Northeast Raiders  Bs

Men of the Match: Pat & Ryan Campbell

Team: Matt Gruskin, Ryan Brown, Casey Dooley, Chris Brill, Sean McMasters, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, Mark Vella, Cory Goodman, Cory Schwezier (c), Pat Campbell, Chris Coulter, Ryan Costello, Vince Granieri

 Subs:  

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vs. North Penn (Iron Lions) 04/16/09

In our second go under the light at Poplar Park, the team seemed ready to breakout of their scoring slump.  From the start of this match I felt like this was our time specially with some of the moves that were made in the line up.

The first half began with North Penn taking the ball in for their first and only converted try of the night.  The Bulls responded almost immediately with a try of their own.  New scrum half Bob Devonshire dug the ball of a ruck and sent out to the backs, Fly half Pat Campbell took the ball in from about 40 meters out and converted his try.   Midway through the half as the Bulls were pressing, the ball was spun out to the backs, this time winger Chris Coulter was able to touch down for the try and Pat added the conversion.  The Bulls saw the their lead shrink at the end of the half when North Penn scored an unconverted try as time ran out.  Half time 14 -10

The Bulls were able regain the momentum with Pat's second converted try of the night on a ball won of a scrum inside the opponents 22.   North Penn answered back with an unconverted try midway through the second half.  The rest of the half saw furious action between the 22s with no team mounting any real serious scoring threat.  With 2 minutes remaining in the match, Pat Campbell was whistled for a dangerous play and placed in the Sin Bin.  North Penn took advantage of the man down opportunity and from a line out mauled the ball in for the go ahead score.  The Bulls were able to get possession of the ensuing kick off but couldn't get close enough for a final push for a score before the game was blown dead.

It was a very tough pill for the boys to swallow.  But their were several things that allowed victory to slip away.  One was our inability to tackle and tackle low.  The other was a missed scoring opportunity, when deep in enemy territory, we chose to do a tap and go instead of kick a very makeable penalty goal.

Man of the Match: Pat Campbell

Team: Matt Gruskin, Alex Sikora, Casey Dooley, Chris Brill, Jeremiah Ledise, Ryan Moyers, Stas Starovoytov,  Ryan Campbell, Bob Devonshire, Pat Campbell, Vince Granieri, Cory Schwezier (c), Kyle Gibbons, Chris Coulter, Austin Glenwright

 Subs:  Ryan Brown

vs. Iron Lions  Bs

Man of the Match: Chris Brill

Team: Matt Gruskin, Ryan Brown, Casey Dooley, Kevin Kriger, Ryan Foley, Ryan Moyers, Ryan Moyers, Chris Brill, Mark Vella, Brian Mac, CJ Kendel, Cory Schwezier (c), Garrett Simpson, John Finnell, Vince Granieri

 Subs:  Kyle Gibbons, Austin Glenwright, Stas Starovoytov

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vs. Lehigh Valley 04/19/09

Men of the Match: Chris Coulter

Team: 

 Subs:  

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