Brandywine's Scrum for Six

On Saturday, May 5th, 2012, the Thorns traveled to Brandywine for the seventh annual Michael Bartone Memorial Rugby Tournament held at the home pitch of the Brandywine Rugby Football Club. The match was in the spirit of the event with a final score of 15-10 Brandywine.

The match was competitive and was a good preview on what’s to come in the Fall.  Both teams worked both zones and the game was very back and forth.  The match was won by a single penalty Kick made by Whitney Hartshore in the final minutes of the second half. Brandywine was extremely thankful to Lancaster for joining them and making it such a wonderful day. Pete Hesler officiated the match.

Brandywine Riot v. Thorns play as part of Scrum for Six

In recognition of the number Michael wore during his fourteen year career, the Scrum for Six, as the Event is called, was started in 2003 following his death.

He thought that the tingling in his extremities was due to the many nerve-jarring tackles that he made during his football and rugby careers. Maybe they were related to the more tedious motions of his profession of plumber. As his character dictated, he played and worked through the pain, never complaining and continuing to perform at his customary high level. He continued to play Rugby until his body would no longer allow. His visits to the pitch after that took all of his courage. It was in 1999 when Michael Bartone finally learned that the degradation of his body was due to Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis or ALS.

ALS, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, affects approximately 30,000 Americans at any one time. 5600 new patients are diagnosed in the U. S. each year. It is a disease that attacks the Central Nervous System, limiting the ability to control muscles. Twenty percent of the patients die within three years of their diagnosis.

Michael died in March 2002, during his battle with the disease. Shortly after his death, a Memorial Foundation was formed to accomplish three key goals; carry on his battle with ALS, preserve his memory and continue his unselfish inspiration. The Brandywine Men's and Women's Club continue to fundraise and play to this day in Michael's honor.

York and Lancaster Thorns Women @ Brandywine Riot, MAY 5, 1:00pm

Directions to Brandywine's Home Pitch