Rugby United New York Loses to San Diego Legion

Rugby United New York lost to San Diego Legion 29-19 at MCU Park in Brooklyn on April 14. With the win, San Diego moved into third place in the Major League Rugby standings with a 7-2-1 record and 36 points. RUNY slipped to fifth place with a 7-2 record and has 32 points.

On Saturday, April 20, Rugby United New York will host the Utah Warriors, while the San Diego Legion host the Glendale Raptors that same day.

Match Recap

Rugby United New York struck first in the 4th minute from a lineout with Alex MacDonald grounding the ball and Chris Mattina converting to lead 7-0. Two minutes later Ben Foden began a counterattack inside RUNY’s 22-meters and offloaded to Seimoi Smith to James Denise for a try in the right corner to lead 12-0.

The Legion answered back with a try by Save Totovosau to cut the lead to 12-5. San Diego then had the chance for a penalty goal but elected to kick to touch and attack from a lineout. The wind and RUNY’s lead perhaps was a factor in the decision, however, the choice did not lead to points for the Legion.

San Diego leveled the match at 12 all after Paddy Ryan mauled his way over the try line. Mike Petri did the same in the 39th minute with Chris Mattina converting for a 19-12 lead at the break.

Photo: Keith Killeen

Second Half

Both team defenses were stellar during the match. The teams contested the scrums, while San Diego had an edge in the lineouts.

San Diego leveled the match at 19 all with a penalty try in the 53rd minute. After a Legion scrum, the ball went wide right with Mike Te’o offloading to Conor Kearns. Conor raced down the right flank and grubbed ahead, picking the ball up and then grounding for a try in the right corner. Joe Pietersen’s kick then bounced off the post. The Legion gained a bonus point in taking their first lead of the match, 24-19.

The Legion then sealed a 29-19 win in the 77th minute with a try by Joe Pietersen.