Devault, PA - April 4, 2019 Round 3 of the Rugby PA spring season meant that teams were now in full swing. Across all divisions, the early favorites to book a playoff spot have already begun to rise to the top. This weeks top performers raised their games, as they both faced tough local competition.

In the High School Girls Division 2, Western PA sides North Pitt United and Woodland Hills faced off in a battle for bragging rights. In what has a hard fought match, it was the stand out performance from Woodland Hills Vanessa Wolford that would be the difference. The Junior did it all; scoring 4 tries, kicking 5 conversions, and racking up a remarkable 30 individuals points on the day. Equally impressive were the 20+ tackles she made in defense, which lead her team to the 65-21 victory.

Vanessa typically finds herself in the  loose forward positions, but has moonlighted in several spots around the field. She has quickly become a team leader and sets a great example for her teammates with her playing ability, heart, and dedication to the game. Vanessa is among the team leaders in tackles and tries. She is fierce in contact and her speed and power influence the opposing teams’ game plan as well as the scoreboard. Vanessa also plays summer sevens rugby with regional travel teams and looks forward to trying out for similar all-star teams this season. She plans to continue her playing career after high school, but is undecided on her collegiate destination.

In the High School Boys Division 1, it was another battle of local rivals that would generate our Boys Player of the Week. While Malvern Prep was able to hold off Downingtown for the victory, it was the performance of Jack McCausland that stood out on the day. Nominated by the opposing coach, Jack’s running lines gave the Malvern defense all they could handle. He was able to dot down 2 tries on the day, keeping his team in the match till the end.

Jack has been involved in rugby for about 11 years, starting with Flag Rugby in the Downingtown Rugby Club, then moving up through the Youth and Junior programs.  Jack attends the STEM Academy in the Downingtown Area School District, where he is a member of the National Honor Society and an executive of the Sustainable Advancement Society Club.  In addition, Jack was selected to the 2017 High School All-American rugby squad. He plans on attending Penn State University to play rugby and study Environmental Resource Management.

Vanessa and Jack join our list of winners in the running for our Player of the Year awards, which will be given out at the end of the season. They both will also receive invitations to the All-State Selections Camp on May 25th, where they’ll have a chance to prove they are among Pennsylvania’s best.