Reading Pagoda 7s Classic
This past weekend, an alumni and high school side competed in the Reading Pagoda 7s Classic in Reading Pa.
The alumni side, comprising of all Knightmare alumni, graduation years ranging from 2007 to 2017 came together to compete in the Mens Bracket. Their first match would be against Penn State Berks. Although the Knightmares Alumni controlled the match early, fitness would be a factor and eventually PSU-Berks would pull away to a final of 35-5. Danny Falcon (2012) would score the lone try for the Knightmares. Match number 2 for the Knightmare Alumni would see massive improvement against Holy Family University out of Philadelphia. Bunna Thurng (2017) would go over the line early for the alumni with Falcon on the conversion, but Holy family would score just before half to tie it up. The second half would again see both sides score a try, with Dylan Mulroney (2017) touching down the ball for the Knightmares, but a missed conversion would be the deciding factor for the alumni and they would finish the day 0-2.
The high school side would start off the day hot and have massive success. The Knightmares first match would be against a tough Berks squad. The Knightmares would rely on several line breaks and team speed to score 21 points against Berks 10. The second match up would place the Knghtmares against a familar foe from the fall season Blackthorne. The result though was very similar to the fall season as the Knightmares came out on top 28-10. The final match-up of the day, would place the Knightmares vs. West Allegheny. Early mistakes and a tough defensive structure imposed by West Allegheny would stifle the Knightmare attack, and eventually lead to a overwhelming performance by the side from the western side of the state. Final score West Allegheny 41, Knightmares 7; finishing the tournament at a hard fought 2-1 record. Recent PA All-Star Barry Ashway would lead all Knightmare scorers on the day with 22 total points.
Overall on the day, both sides saw improvement and success, and even better, Knighmare from throughout the years came together to compete for a common cause. #KnightmareFamily
State Championship Tournament Weekend Review
The Knightmare High School and Juniors traveled back to La Salle College High School for the PA Rugby 7s Championship Tournament. The Juniors would combine with the Blackthrone Juniors for the tournament.
The four Kngihtmare junior players would played extremely hard their first two matches but would fall to eventual state champions Cumberland Valley and Doylestown. During the third match, the Knightmares/Blackthorne would catch some magic and defeat La Salle College High School Juniors 15-12.
The high school boys would start off the tournament on an extreme high note defeating Central PA rival Carlisle 28-10. Two all-star efforts were given by Senior Barry Ashway (13pts) and Mike Beamsterfer. (15 pts).
The second match would be against Malvern Prep who the Knightmares had played throughout the season and saw back and forth results. During the state tournament, the outcome would be slightly different though as Malvern would capitalize on several mistakes the Knightmares made and the final score woudl be Malvern 34, Knightmares 21.
The final match of the day would match the Knightmares against St. Joeseph Prep, a team the Knightmares had struggeld with all year. Today would be no different, as the Knightmares again played valiantly but too many mistakes plagued the boys. They would drop the final match of the season 33-12.
The Man of the Tournament would be Mike Beamsterfer scoring 6 trys (30pts) on the day.
State Championship Tournament Posponed
Due to the horrible weather forecast (sleet, thunder, lightening, and downpours) Rugbypa has postponed the State Championship 7s Tournament from tomorrow, until next Sunday 11/5/17.
We will continue practice this week Tuesday/Thursday 5:30-7:30. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the club at Knightmarerugby@gmail.com.
La Salle College High School 7s Tournament Information
Address: La Salle College High School
8605 Cheltenham Ave.
Wyndmoor, PA 19038
Report time is 8am. (Approx. 1 hour 30 min drive, depending on traffic and route taken)
High School Match Schedule:
9am vs. Blackthorne (Field 2)
10am vs. St. Joeseph Prep 1 (Field 1)
11:20am vs. La Salle 1 (Field 1)
12:20pm vs. Bishop Shanahan (Field 2)
2:30pm Playoffs (only 1 and 2 seeds from both pools)
Juniors Match Schedule
9:40am vs. St. Joes Prep Jr. (Field 2)
10:40am vs. Doyelstown Jr. (Field 1)
12:00pm vs. La Salle Jr. (Field 1)
1pm Junior playoff match-up
Cumberland Valley 7s Tournament Results
High School
HRFC- 24, Carlisle 0
HRFC- 19, Malvern Prep, 19
After the first two match ups, all teams were re-seeded and for the first time in the history of the Knightmare 7s program, the Knightmare was ranked the number 1 team based off two matches.
In playoffs, the Knightmare would run into some very tough competiition:
HRFC- 0, St. Joeseph Prep- 14
HRFC- 5, Cumberland Valley- 35
Juniors (with help from Cumberland Valley and La Salle)
HRFC-10, La Salle- 7
HRFC- 0, Cumberland Valley- 27