NOLA Gold Spoils Old Glory DC Major League Rugby Debut

NOLA Gold opened the 2020 Major League Rugby season on Saturday, February 8 at the Shrine on Airline with a 46-13 win over Old Glory DC. The match was broadcast on NBCSW and streamed on ESPN+.

Last season NOLA Gold was among the MLR team leaders, but after a late season-ending injury to Ben Tarr, the team finished in fifth place in the league and missed the playoffs.

Match Recap

NOLA Gold scored first from a 5-meter scrum with a try by Cam Dolan with Carl Meyer adding the extras to lead 7-0.

NOLA Gold added a second try from a 5-meter scrum with Malcolm May dotting down and Carl Meyer slotting the conversion to push the lead to 14-0.

In the 25th minute, Malcolm May was sent to the bin with Jason Robertson slotting a penalty goal to cut the lead to 14-3. Old Glory attacked from the restart and from a lineout 5-meters from in-goal, added a try by Doug Fraser from a kick pass across the pitch, 14-8. Robertson’s conversion attempt from touch was wide.

NOLA Gold answered back after going through multiple phases with Robbie Coleman lofting a wide pass to Moni Tongauiha for an easy try. Meyer’s conversion then drifted just left of the posts, 19-8.

A scrum infraction had Meyer adding a penalty goal for a 22-8 lead at the break.

Second Half

NOLA Gold added a bonus point after a Carl Meyer break and quick hands right for a Moni Tongauiha brace. Meyer then slotted the extras to push the lead to 29-8.

A NOLA Gold break by Cam Dolan kept the pressure on Old Glory deep inside their territory. A Gold lineout 5-meters out was turned over by a knock on giving Old Glory a 5-meter scrum. NOLA Gold had Old Glory on their back foot and created a turnover for their own 5-meter scrum. Six forward picks later, Gold tried again with another 5-meter scrum. The Gold drove and Cam Dolan finished with his brace with Meyer slotting again to lead 36-8.

Julian Dominguez added another try after a kick and chase for a 41-8 lead. with Meyer missing the extras.

Lindsey Stevens was sent to the bin for an obstruction penalty near in-goal. Old Glory was pushed back from a 5-meter scrum with Gold poaching and clearing.

Cam Dolan claimed Man of the Match honors picking up a loose ball from a NOLA lineout for a hat trick try, 46-8.

Following the restart, Nikola Bursic was sent to the bin for a breakdown infraction, the thrid NOLA Gold player that was sent to the bin.

Old Glory kicked into touch, setting up a lineout 10-meters from in-goal. A handling error then thwarted their attack. In the final minute, Dylan Taikato-Simpson chip kicked across the pitch for a try by Mike Dabulas for a final of 46-13.