Major League Rugby Updates: Week 4

It was nearly a second win in as many weeks for the Toronto Arrows as they gave the Seattle Seawolves all they could handle at a sold-out Starfire Stadium on Sunday. After building a 30-17 second half lead, the Arrows ran out of steam and saw the defending champions score 18 unanswered points to take a 35-30 win in a terrific match that brought the Major League Rugby weekend to a close.

The two teams went back and forth in the opening half with Marcello Wainwright spinning over from close range for the first Arrows try and Kolby Francis showing good strength to drive through off the back of a scrum. Seattle took the battering ram approach as Olive Kilifi blasted his way to the line and then Eric Duechle displayed pace and power to cut through the Arrows defense for a second try. Penalties from Sam Malcolm and Brock Staller made the scores level at halftime.

An early score from Andrew Ferguson after a long break-out tilted the scales to the visitors with Malcolm adding two penalties to make it a 13-point gap. With nine players unavailable for Toronto, however, the experience of the Seattle bench was evident as they fought back with tries from Shalom Suniula and Ben Cima. Staller did the rest with two late penalty goals to secure the win.

It was an historic match from a Canadian perspective as a record 24 Canada-eligible players took part. The Arrows featured 19, with another two unused replacements, while five suited up for the Seawolves. Cam Polson returned from injury and started on the flank though he was replaced mid-way through the first half by Nakai Penny. Staller was joined by Phil Mack and George Barton in the Seattle backline.

The weekend began with Rugby United New York earning a stunning 27-24 win on the road against the NOLA Gold in a battle of two previously unbeaten teams. Canadians Hubert Buydens, Eric Howard, and Kyle Baillie all featured for the home side with Howard scoring the first try. NOLA remains on the top of the table but the gap is closing.

San Diego are now within striking distance after winning their third match in a row, 21-10 over the Utah Warriors at Torero Stadium. The Legion were 18-3 up at halftime as the Warriors struggled with the width of the San Diego attack. Rain made handling more difficult and resulted in a low-scoring second half with the home side able to stop all but one of Utah’s advances.

Two Canadians were in action at Dell Diamond as Austin Elite welcomed the Glendale Raptors to Texas. Both were winless heading in and while the Larsen brothers gave their all for Austin, they lots key playmaker Rodrigo Silva early in the match and when they finally found some spark on offense it was too little, too late. Glendale took the 24-13 win to get their season back on the winning track.

It’s another busy weekend with four games ahead. The Arrows will have a short turnaround as they head to Houston to play the SaberCats on Friday night. At the same time Austin Elite will play host to the San Diego Legion. Glendale are at Utah on Saturday, and New York face another stern challenge on the road at Seattle on Sunday. NOLA have the week off to recover.

All matches will be steamed live on the Major League Rugby Facebook page for Canadian viewers. The Arrows match will also be available on GameTV.

WEEK 5 SCHEDULE

Toronto Arrows at Houston SaberCats

Friday, February 22

5pm PT, 8pm ET

San Diego Legion at Austin Elite

Friday, February 22

5pm PT, 8pm ET

Glendale Raptors at Utah Warriors

Saturday, February 23

6pm PT, 9pm ET

Rugby United New York at Seattle Seawolves

Sunday, February 24

4pm PT, 7pm ET