Seattle Seawolves Seize Win Over Rugby United New York

The Seattle Seawolves defeated Rugby United New York 33-21 in the CBSSN Game of the Week on Sunday, February 24 at Starfire Sports.

Match Recap

The Seattle Seawolves, playing expansive rugby, struck first with Mat Turner offloading to Eric Duechle for a try in the right corner. Brock Staller then slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

RUNY attacked after the restart with Will Leonard taking a Ben Foden offload from a double switch for a try. Cathal Marsh then leveled the match at 7 all with the conversion.

After a box kick by Petri, Turner lost the ball on contact. Cathal Marsh chipped ahead and Connor Wallace-Sims pinned Turner in-goal for a RUNY 5-meter scrum. Seattle was penalized twice for scrum infractions before Ross Deacon powered his way over for a try under the posts. Marsh then slotted the conversion for a 14-7 lead.

The Seawolves then placed RUNY under pressure with Turner offloading to Tiberio, who kicked ahead. Marsh was then penalized for not releasing. Seattle then had consecutive 5-meter scrums. Six picks to the right and Stephan Coetzee had a try. Staller then slotted the conversion from touch to knot the match at 14 all.

The Seawolves attacked from the restart and Shalom Suniula stepped defenders for a try in the left corner and Staller again slotted the kick from touch for a 21-14 lead.

RUNY attacked from a lineout just outside the Seawolves 22-meters and then lost the ball forward after a 5-meter scrum. This allowed Mack a box kick after a 5-meter scrum. Mattina ran to the 22-meter line and the ball moved right with a Mat Turner tackle saving a try.

A RUNY attack was thwarted as James Denise could not handle a Will Leonard pass. Brock Staller gathered the ball and raced in for a try to lead 26-14. His conversion then bounced off the posts in the final play before the break.

With four tries during the first half, the Seawolves will gain a valuable bonus point in the standings.

Second Half

RUNY went through multiple phases early in the second half with the Seawall repeling the attacks. RUNY then attacked from a 5-meter scrum. The Seawolves were penalized and the ball was held up in-goal. Another RUNY 5-meter scrum ensued with the Seawolves stealing as they drove RUNY on the back foot, allowing Cima to clear.

A delayed kick by Cima and a chase by Staller led to a try. Staller then slotted the conversion for a 33-14 lead.

Seattle attacked after a lineout steal moving to within 10 meters of in-goal before an errant pass by Smith turned over the ball and allowed RUNY to clear. The Seawolves attacked again from a lineout, but after multiple phases, Seattle lost the ball forward 10-meters from in-goal.

RUNY scored after a Ben Foden offload to Mattina and then to Lipscomb and inside to Brown for the try. MArsh then added a conversion to cut the lead to 33-21.

The Seawolves improved their record to 3-2, while RUNY lost for the first time and stand at 2-1. The Seawolves move to third place, while RUNY remains in sixth place with two games at hand.

RUNY travels to Houston on March 2 to play the SaberCats, while Seattle has a bye week before hosting the SaberCats on March 10.

When the teams meet in Brooklyn on May 11, the teams will have their full contingent of players with the ARC no longer being a factor.