The Toronto Arrows defeated the host Utah Warriors 64-31 on Saturday, March 30 at Zions Bank Stadium.
With the loss, the Utah Warriors record falls to 1-1-5, while the Toronto Arrows levels at 4-4. After playing their first eight games on the road, the Arrows will play the second half of the season at home. The Arrows will have their home opener against NOLA Gold, while the Utah Warriors face the Seattle Seawolves.
Match Recap
The Toronto Arrows struck first with a try by Rob Brouwer from a lineout 5-meters out with a conversion by Sam Malcolm to lead 7-0. They quickly pushed the lead to 14-0 with a try by Steve Ng and another Malcolm kick. Dan Moor added a third try in the right corner attacking from another lineout 5-meters out to lead 19-0.
The momentum then swung with a try from a lineout by Jackson Kaka, with Tim O’Malley converting. Tonata Lauti then appeared to ground the ball in the right corner, however on review, Andrew Ferguson was sent to the bin for a trip and a penalty try was awarded to cut the lead to 19-14. Fets Vainikolo then added a try in the left corner to level the match at 19 all.
Just prior to the break Utah was penalized for a no wrap tackle by Saia Uhila on Sam Malcolm. From the ensuing lineout, Kolby Francis added a bonus point try for the Arrows with Malcolm slotting the kick to lead 26-19 at the break.
Second Half
The Toronto Arrows used a strong second half performance to race to a 64-31 win, the highest points scored in MLR this season.
Tries by Lucas Rumball, Marcelo Wainwright, and Avery Oitomen pushed the lead to 47-19 before Utah answered back with a bonus point try by Tonata Lauti to cut the lead to 47-26 after O’Malley’s conversion.
The teams then traded tries with Gaston Mieres scoring for the Arrows and Nola Tuamoheloa for the Warriors (54-31).
Sam Malcolm added a penalty goal and Kainoa Lloyd another try for the 64-31 win for the Arrows.
Squads with Player Article Links & Match Preview
Utah Warriors: 1 Franco Van den Berg 2 Jeremy Leber 3 Angus Maclellan 4 Saia Uhila 5 Matt Jensen 6 Jackson Kaka 7 Lance Williams 8 John Cullen (VC) 9 Johnny Ika 10 Josh Reeves 11Fetu’u Vanikolo 12 Tim O’Malley (C) 13 Gannon Moore 14 Tonata Lauti 15 Don Pati 16 Blake Burdette 17 Huluhola Moungaloa 18 Ara Elkington 19 Arthur Bergo 20 Alex Tucci 21 Nolan Tuamoheloa 22 Jeremy Misailegalu 23 Joseph Nicholls + Head Coach Alf Daniels
Toronto Arrows: 1 Rob Brouwer 2 Steven Ng 3 Morgan Mitchell 4 Mike Sheppard 5 Paul Ciulini 6 Lucas Rumball (C) 7 Peter Milazzo 8 Kolby Francis 9 Andrew Ferguson 10 Sam Malcolm 11Dan Moor (C) 12 Guiseppe du Toit 13 Spencer Jones 14 Avery Oitomen 15 Gaston Mieres 16 Jack McRogers 17 Tom Dolezel 18 Cole Keith 19 Tom Van Horne 20 Marcello Wainwright 21 Jamie Mackenzie 22 Kainoa Lloyd 23 Theo Sauder + Director of Rugby, Chris Silverthorn
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