1.  The Unionville A2 HS boys will NOT (repeat NOT) play in the D3 tournament tomorrow (Saturday, May 10).  Our entry would have created a 5 team field which is a scheduling nightmare.

2.  Unionville A2 WILL (repeat WILL) play in the Brandywine Division championship, as will Shanahan 2.  This will create a 12 team field, broken into an upper 6 team bracket and a lower 6 team bracket.

Hence, our A2 team will be in the same bracket as Henderson, Rustin, and WC East.  New competition against whom we should be able to compete well. 

I believe the schedule will call for a Thursday evening (May 15) match and at least one match on Sunday (May 18).

As I mentioned before, with parent permission, rising 8th graders are also welcome to play in the tournament.

Sorry for any confusion this might cause.  Playoff time is always a challenge.

Curt

ORIGINAL Message from EPRU

Gentleman,

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR A1 GIRLS FOR THEIR HUGE WIN OVER CONESTOGA.  NEXT STOP:  THE EPRU CHAMPIONSHIPS AT NORTH PENN.  FIRST OPPONENT IS DOYLESTOWN.  (See below) 

2008 EPRU High School Girls Division I Tournament

April 27th- East

(Seeding in parenthesis)

Match 1- (8)Downingtown @ (1)Conestoga, Downington 5, Conestoga 36  

Match 2- (5) Valley Forge @ (4)Unionville, Valley Forge 5, Unionville 10

Match 3- (7)Wilmington @ (2)Doylestown, Wilmington 0, Doylestown 10, Forfeit

Match 4- (6)Blackthorn @ (3)North Penn, Blackthorn 10, North Penn 36

April 27th – West

(Seeding in parenthesis)

Match 1- (8)South Jersey@ (1)Hempfield, South Jersey 0, Hempfield 70

Match 2- (5)Cumberland Valley@ (4)Hibernians, Cumberland Valley 45, Hibernians 0

Match 3- (7)West Carroll@ (2)State College, West Carroll 5, State College 47

Match 4- (6)West Shore@ (3)Warwick, West Shore 19, Warwick 29

May 4th – East

(Site to be determined by seed)

Match 5- Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, Unionville @Conestoga, Unionville 18, Conestoga 3

Match 6- Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2, Downington @ Valley Forge, Downingtown 0, Valley Forge 10, Forfeit, did play in a friendly with Blackthorn

Match 7- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, North Penn @ Doylestown, North Penn 14, Doylestown 19

Match 8- Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4, Wilmington @ Blackthorn, Wilmington 0, Blackthorn 10, Forfeit, did play in a friendly with Valley Forge

May 4th – West

(Site to be determined by seed)

Match 5 – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2, Cumberland Valley @ Hempfield, Cumberland Valley 7, Hempfield 12

Match 6- Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2, South Jersey @ Hibernains, South Jersey 12, Hibernians 43

Match 7- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4, Warwick @ State College, Warwick 20, State College 38

Match 8- Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4, West Carroll @ West Shore, West Carroll 14, West Shore 10

May 11th – East

( EPRU DI & DII Tournament Championship & Consolation hosted by North Penn)

Match 9-    Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 7 ( Semi-Final & East Championship),

Match 10 – Loser of Match 5 vs. Loser of  Match 7,

Match 11-  Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 8,

Match 12 – Loser of Match 6 vs. Loser of  Match 8

Unionville's High School rugby teams had another outstanding week.

The Unionville girls advanced to the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) League Championship match with a big 18-3 win on Sunday, May 4, over previously unbeaten Conestoga.  The playoff win improves the girls' season record to 5-2 and avenges an earlier 27-15 loss to Conestoga.  The win comes on the heels of last week's 10-5 playoff round victory over Valley Forge.  These are the first playoff wins in the history of the Unionville girls rugby program.

The Lady Indians will face perrenial powerhouse Doylestown in the Eastern Division Championship game, which will be played next Sunday, May 11, at North Penn's home pitch (on the Unisys grounds) in Blue Bell.  A win against Doylestown will qualify the Unionville girls for the Mid Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) championship tournament.


Meanwhile, the Unionville boys achieved their dream of going undefeated in EPRU League play by beating West Chester Rustin 63-0 on Sunday, May 4, at Rustin.  Unionville's boys thus improved their unblemished record to 8-0 in League play, 11-0 overall.  On the season, the Indians have outscored their opponents by a whopping 467-61.

The going will get tougher, however, as the playoffs begin.  The boys will face their nemesis, Bishop Shanahan, in the EPRU quarter-finals on Thursday, May 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Hillendale Elementary.  A win there will qualify the Unionville boys for the EPRU championship tournament on May 11, which will be held in Hempfield.  In the boys tournament, the four divisional champions will vie for the right to represent the EPRU in the high school boys' MARFU championship tournament.

SCORING SUMMARY OF UNIONVILLE BOYS VS. RUSTIN MATCH

1st half:
Unionville try by Hardy Stewart, conversion good by Joe Baker at 1 minute (7-0)
Unionville try by Dan Raube, conversion failed by Baker at 12 minutes (12-0)
Unionville try by Chris Karas, conversion failed by Baker at 17 minutes (17-0)
Unionville try by Ryan Neff, conversion good by Baker at 24 minutes (24-0)
Unionville try by Neff, conversion failed by Baker at 34 minutes (29-0)

2nd half:
Unionville try by Andrew Hollinger, conversion failed by Baker at 2 minutes (34-0)
Unionville try by Steven Taunk, conversion good by Baker at 6 minutes (41-0)
Unionville try by Karas, conversion good by Bill Howard at 13 minutes (48-0)
Unionville try by Colin Kipping-Ruane, conversion failed by Kipping-Ruane at 18 minutes (53-0)
Unionville try by Stewart, conversion failed by Howard at 23 minutes (58-0)
Unionville try by Taunk, conversion failed by Steve Berzon at 28 minutes (63-0)

This message is to provide an overview of the proceedings for this weekend.  I have work obligations in Roanoke that will prevent me from making the drive north.  Thanks in advance to those who are stepping in to assist while I am away.

SATURDAY PRACTICES:

Saturday practices will run as planned.  Boys (HS and MS) will run a little shorter than normal … about 90 minutes.

SUNDAY MATCHES:

High School Girls

Congratulations to the A1 girls for their huge win over Valley Forge – the first girls’ playoff win in Unionville history.  As a result, the High School Girls A1 team will play Conestoga at Conestoga.  Kick-off is listed as 12:00 p.m. 

The listed game location is YMCA Field in Berwyn (1416 Berwyn Paoli Road  Berwyn  PA  19312).  Directions are as follows:

From Route 202 take Route 252 South to Paoli
At the intersection of Rt 252 and Rt 30 turn left onto Rt 30 East
Go to next traffic light at Daylesford Train Station and turn right onto Glenn Avenue
Go to next intersection and turn right onto Berwyn Paoli Road
YMCA is on the left
Turn into main entrance and park in main parking lot
As you face the building, walk to the left and around to the back of the building
Field is in the back  

High School Boys

A.        The A1 (Gold) side will play Rustin at Rustin on Sunday.  Kick-off is at 2 p.m.  Players should arrive by 1:15.  Coach Matas will serve as my stand-in.  REMEMBER, WE NEED TO WIN THIS MATCH TO ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF GOING UNDEFEATED IN EPRU LEAGUE PLAY.

The following players are assigned to this match:

            1^st Half:

            1:         Czymmek

            2:         Cattie

3.                  Ochs

4.                  Delaney

5.                  Brosius

6.                  Howard

7.                  Stewart

8.                  Karas

9.                  Kipping-Ruane

10.              Baker

11.              Taunk

12.              Geiger

13.              Goodall

14.              Neff

15.              Raube

Subs:

16.              Ely

17.              Hyde

18.              Bloomfield

19.              Hollinger

20.              Berzon

21.       Donaghy

2^nd Half (assuming coaches agree to sub-back for injury):

1:         Hyde

2.                  Karas

3.                  Czymmek

4.                  Ochs

5.                  Donaghy

6.                  Howard

7.                  Ely

8.                  Stewart

9.                  Kipping-Ruane

10.              Goodall

11.              Taunk

12.              Geiger

13.              Bloomfield

14.              Hollinger

15.              Berzon

Directions to Bayard Rustin High School (1100 Shiloh Road; West Chester, PA 19382):

Follow Route 926 (Street Road) across 202 and proceed East

Continue on Route 926 East about 2 miles to the traffic light at Shiloh Road

Make a left onto Shiloh Road
The main entrance will be on the left

B.        The A2 (Blue) side has had a change in opponent.  This is an EPRU D3 League match against Narberth.  (We are NOT playing Doylestown as was originally scheduled.)  Kick-off is at 3 p.m.  Players should arrive by 2:00.

            All players not assigned to the A1 (Gold) match are to play in this match.  Coaches Gatter and Sanderson will lead the team.  THIS IS OUR FINAL LEAGUE MATCH.  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FINISH OUR LEAGUE SCHEDULE WITH A STRONG PERFORMANCE.

Directions to Narberth Ball Park (13 Haverford Avenue; Narberth, PA 19072)

Get on Route 202 North toward King of Prussia
Take the Devon Park Drive/I-76 East exit toward Philadelphia
Merge onto I-76 East
Take exit 338 for Belmont Avenue toward Green Lane
Turn right at Belmont Avenue
Turn right at Rock Hill Road
Turn right at Conshohocken State Road
Turn left at Manayunk Road
Turn right at Bryn Mawr Avenue
Turn left at South Woodbine Avenue
Turn left at Iona Avenue
Turn right at Haverford Avenue to 13 Haverford Avenue
and Narberth Ball Park

            Travel time is about 40 minutes from Route 926 and 202.

Middle School Boys

The middle school side has a cool finale to its regular season.  A round-robin has been set up against Cumberland Valley and Hempfield.  We’ll get two matches.  Kick-off is at 11:30 a.m. at Hempfield’s home pitch (which, happily, is a lot closer than CV’s home pitch).  Players should arrive by 10:45.  Coach Ford will lead the charge for the Unionville middle schoolers.  Matches will be concluded by no later than 2:30.

            Directions to Hempfield’s Field (Silver Spring Park) from Pocopson Elementary School:

1.      Follow 926 West for 13.5 miles (At about the ½ way mark, 926 jogs to the right and then makes a quick left.  Follow the signs.)  (13.5. miles)

2.      Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto GAP NEWPORT PIKE/ PA-41. Continue to follow PA-41. (12.4 miles)

3.      Take US-30 WEST (21.4 miles)

4.      Take the exit toward CENTERVILLE (0.3 miles)

5.      Turn RIGHT onto CENTERVILLE RD. (0.3 miles)

6.      Turn LEFT onto MARIETTA AVE/ MARIETTA PIKE/ PA-23 (2.5 miles)

7.      Turn LEFT onto IRONVILLE PIKE (0.1 miles)

8.      End at Silver Spring Park, 2850 Ironville Pike Columbia, PA 17512

This means, in a nutshell, that we will play Shanahan at home on THURSDAY, MAY 8.  Make sure you clear your calendars for this match!

------------------------------------------

Coaches,

We will be completing the regular season this Sunday. It is imperative that you
have completed all your regular season matches by Sunday so that we can proceed
with the EPRU Quarterfinals for both Club and high school teams.  Please make
CERTAIN that all your match scores are reported to your District Coordinators by
this Sunday evening.

The EPRU Standings Web site is the final statement of rankings.  It takes into
account Head-to-Head match results, the rest is based on the differentials
rankings which include number of try's scored as well as the match scores of
Points Scored and Points Given Up.

1)The 2008 Quarterfinals will be held at the home pitch of the higher ranked
team.  All Quarterfinal matches will be completed as agreed upon at our meeting
last December.  Consequently the 1st and 2nd ranked  HS/Club teams within each
District will have their Quarterfinal EPRU match Thursday evening 8 May.  Teams
winning Thursday evening will proceed to their respective semi-final matches at
the Hempfield site for Sunday 11 May.  This process was agreed upon to limit
travel for the Thursday evening match within District boundaries.  We can review
this process for 2009.

2) All teams participating in the playoffs MUST be in good standing with the
EPRU.  EG Dues paid, CIPP compliant, Coaches certified, etc.  Failure to meet
EPRU/USA Rugby requirements will disqualify teams from Championship play.

3) Boys HS/U19 Playoffs   Match Duration = two 30-minute halves if one daily
match or two 25-minute halves for multi-matches on same day (May 11
Championships).  As a group we have never changed our standard policy on 30
minute halfs, although in regular season play coaches have been given the option
to play 35 minute halfs.  With several matches for playoff teams - Th/-Sunday we
will adhere to our 30 minute half policy for quarterfinals.

Tied Match - Extra Time (overtime) Policy is below.

USA Rugby Knock-out Competition Extra Time Policy, Revised and adopted April 14,
2006

The extra time protocol for Under 19 competitions will be as follows:

1. Match is not decided in regulation time (ends in a tie score), the team
with the greater number of tries will be declared the winner.

2. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of tries), the
team with the greater number of converted tries will be declared the winner.

3. If the match is still not decided (teams have equal number of converted
tries), the winner will be determined by a penalty shoot-out between the two
teams to take place as follows:

         i)    The kicks at goal should be part of the match and be the
responsibility of the referee. The touch judges and match commissioner may help
the referee. Before the kicks at goals, the two captains shall toss a coin to
decide which goal posts and toss again to decide who will kick first.  The match
commissioner may move the penalty shoot-out to another field if necessary to the
competition schedule.

         ii)    The first series will consist of five placed kicks taken on the
22 meter line in front of the posts. The kicks at goal will be taken, for each
Team, by each of the five players, nominated by the Captains, who were on the
field of play at the end of that match. In the event of an injury, a player
initially nominated to kick, may be replaced however his replacement shall be a
player who was on the field of play at the end of that match. The five players
shall take it in turns to kick at goal. Teams will alternate: Team A, Team B,
Team A, Team B, etc.

         iii)    In the event of a tie after the first series of kicks at goal,
additional kicks shall be taken, still from the 22 meter line in front of the
posts, alternatively by each Team, until one Team has an advantage for the same
number of kicks taken.

         iv)    Each of these additional kicks shall be taken by a different
player who did not participate in the first series of kicks

4) Division 3 will have their year end Tournament at Bishop Shanahn on May 10th
as stated in the season schedule.  A new schedule for the final matches this
Sunday will be sent to all D3 teams later today.  Most have already received the
updated schedule.  There will be a $50 team entry fee to cover referee expenses.

If you have any questions please contact your District Coordinator or me.


Best regards to all.

Greg Karabin

In a battle of unbeatens, the Unionville High School boys rugby team seized sole possession of first place in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union (EPRU) Brandywine Division with a thrilling, come from behind, 29-22 victory over Valley Forge.

Players on both teams had long before circled April 27 on their calendars as the match of the season.  Neither side disappointed, delivering a match that will be talked about for years.

The Indians displayed early nerves, and Valley Forge capitalized, scoring two quick tries and racing to a 10-0 lead after just 8 minutes of play.  There was understandable concern on the Unionville sideline.

UHS quickly recovered, however, showing great resiliency.  At the 11 minute mark, Outside Center Alex Goodall broke through the Valley  Forge defense and touched the ball down for a try.  Joe Baker’s conversion made it 10-7 and the Indians were back in the match.

Four minutes later, UHS tied the contest at 10-10 when Baker split the uprights with a 35 meter penalty kick.

The Indians finally got their first lead at the 23 minute mark when Chris Karas bulled his way into the try zone.  With Baker’s conversion, the match went into halftime at 17-10, with Unionville having scored 17 unanswered points.

The second half started just like the first, with a Unionville gaffe leading to a Valley Forge try.  Unable to convert for the third consecutive time – kicking now clearly Valley Forge’s Achilles heel – the Indians lead narrowed to 17-15.

It was here that the match turned.  Valley Forge, clearly tiring at about the midway mark of the second half, committed three crucial penalties.  Each time, Joe Baker went for points and converted.  20-15 at 14 minutes.  23-15 at 19 minutes.  26-15 at 21 minutes.

In the frantic final 10 minutes of the match, Valley Forge capitalized on a Unionville mistake and pushed in their fourth try of the day.  After the Valley Forge line judge generously ruled a 3-meter-wide-of-the-goalpost kick good, the score stood at 26-22 with 5 minutes left. 

Unperturbed, the Indians sealed the deal.  Unionville gained possession and calmly drove down the field.  Valley Forge, in desperation, committed a penalty and Joe Baker again went for points.  He again split the uprights for a 29-22 lead. 

The referee’s whistle followed and a joyous celebration began.

Unionville is now 10-0 (7-0 in EPRU league play) and in sole possession of first place.

The team’s final league match will be played at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 4^th against Rustin at Rustin.

Scoring Summary 

1st Half:
Valley Forge try, conversion failed at 3 minutes (0-5)
Valley Forge try, conversion failed at 8 minutes (0-10)
Unionville try by Goodall, conversion good by Baker at 11 minutes (7-10)
Unionville penalty kick good by Baker at 15 minutes (10-10)
Unionville try by Karas, conversion good by Baker at 23 minutes (17-10)

2nd Half:
Valley Forge try, conversion failed at 4 minutes (17-15)
Unionville penalty kick good by Baker at 14 minutes (20-15)
Unionville penalty kick good by Baker at 19 minutes (23-15)
Unionville penalty kick good by Baker at 21 minutes (26-15)
Valley Forge try, conversion good at 25 minutes (26-22)
Unionville penalty kick good by Baker at 31 minutes (29-22)

FINAL SCORE: UNIONVILLE 29, VALLEY FORGE 22

AS A RESULT, THE FOLLOWING IS OUR MATCH SCHEDULE FOR TOMORROW (SUNDAY, APRIL 27): 

The following is our away match tomorrow: 

3:00 to 4:30:  Unionville Blue Boys vs. Shanahan at Shanahan (D3 League Match) 

Please be sure to arrive one hour before your scheduled match time. 

DIRECTIONS FROM POCOPSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO BISHOP SHANAHAN HIGH SCHOOL 

Bishop Shanahan High School

April 27th- East

(Seeding in parenthesis)

Match 1- (8)Downingtown @ (1)Conestoga

Match 2- (5) Valley Forge @ (4)Unionville

Match 3- (7)Wilmington @ (2)Doylestown

Match 4- (6)Blackthorn @ (3)North Penn

April 27th – West

(Seeding in parenthesis)

Match 1- (8)South Jersey@ (1)Hempfield

Match 2- (5)Cumberland Valley@ (4)Hibernians

Match 3- (7)West Carroll@ (2)State College

Match 4- (6)West Shore@ (3)Warwick

May 4th – East

(Site to be determined by seed)

Match 5- Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2

Match 6- Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2

Match 7- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4

Match 8- Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4

May 4th – West

(Site to be determined by seed)

Match 5 – Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2

Match 6- Loser of Match 1 vs. Loser of Match 2

Match 7- Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4

Match 8- Loser of Match 3 vs. Loser of Match 4

May 11th – East

( EPRU DI & DII Tournament Championship & Consolation hosted by North Penn)

Match 9-    Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 7 ( Semi-Final & East Championship)

Match 10 – Loser of Match 5 vs. Loser of  Match 7

Match 11-  Winner of Match 6 vs. Winner of Match 8

Match 12 – Loser of Match 6 vs. Loser of  Match 8

May 30 - June 1, 2008
Pittsburgh, Pa.: Founders Field
Hosted by: Pittsburgh Harlequins

Founders Field
101 Eisele Road, Cheswick, PA 15024

(412) 68-RUGBY 

The Unionville boys rugby team continued its dominance of Eastern Penn Rugby Union (EPRU) league opponents, beating Coatesville 41-12 on Friday (April 18) and Downingtown 38-5 on Sunday (April 20).  The wins improve Unionville's EPRU league record to 6-0 (9-0 overall).

The match against Coatesville was played under the lights in the Unionville High School stadium.  Unionville put up four tries in the first twenty-five minutes, racing to an insurmountable 26-0 lead at the end of the 1st half.  The Indians scored three more tries in the second half and won going away. 

After the match, Unionville hoisted high the "Rusty Bucket" trophy, which is awarded annually to the winner of the Coatesville-Unionville match.

The stake in Sunday's match against Downingtown was the "Olde Wood Mallet" trophy, which is awarded to the winner of the Downingtown-Unionville match.  (Downingtown was in possession of the trophy after routing the Indians in last season's stadium-game match-up.)

After a lackluster start in which Downingtown controlled most of the action, Unionville broke through with a try by co-captain Chris Karas.  Karas scored again before the half, giving the Indians a 12-0 halftime lead. 

After a stern talking-to during the intermission, the Unionville team lifted their game, putting up four tries in the second half.

The stage is thus set for next week's match of the season:  Unionville vs. Valley Forge.  A battle of undefeated sides.  Kick off is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at Hillendale Elementary.

The girls matches tomorrow (Sunday) will NOT be played at Unisys.  The following are directions to the correct field for the North Penn matches:

Walton Farm Fields
1610 Allentown Road
Lansdale, PA