Old Glory DC Edges Rugby ATL to Move Into Second Place

Old Glory DC hosted their second home game of the season on Sunday, March 8 against Rugby ATL. The team emerged with a 31-29 win over Rugby ATL and improved their record to 4-1, which moves them into second place in the MLR Eastern Conference. Rugby ATL fell to 2-3 and is in fifth place.

Old Glory DC vs Rugby ATL Match Recap

Rugby ATL tested the Old Glory scrum early driving and after Olf Glory was penalized, ATL kicked to touch. A lineout infraction, the third penalty in a row, resulted in a penalty try, 0-7. A yellow card was also issued to Danny Tusitala.

A Rugby ATL penalty had Jason Robertson slotting a penalty goal to cut the lead, 3-7.

The ensuing restart was mishandled with Jeremey Misailegalu picking up the loose ball, drawing in a defender, and offloading to Harley Davidson for a try. Kurt Coleman converted to push the lead, 3-14.

Old Glory stole a lineout and Doug Fraser advanced the ball inside Rugby ATL’s 22-meters. ATL was penalized and Robertson slotted another, 6-14.

An ATL penalty had Old Glory kicking for territory, but after the ball was taken by Fa’anana-Schultz, the ball was knocked-on. Following a scrum, ATL was penalized and Robertson slotted his third to cut the lead, 9-14.

An Old Glory penalty had Coleman kicking for territory inside Old Glory’s 22-meters. A high tackle then led to a Kurt Coleman penalty goal, 9-17.

While Old Glory was on the attack, Rugby ATL was warned about infractions around the breakdown. This gave Jason Robertson a penalty goal attempt but was wide left.

Old Glory attacked from the restart and advanced within Rugby ATL’s 22-meters. Declan O’Donnell offloaded to Dylan Taikato-Simpson for a try in the right corner, 14-17. Robertson’s conversion was just left of the posts.

Rugby ATL gained the restart and following a lineout, cleared. Old Glory counterattacked, but turned the ball over through an offsides penalty. ATL attack was short, however, as the ball was knocked-on.

Old Glory had a final attack with no time on the clock. They went through multiple phases and Doug Fraser took quick ball down the left wide channel. Old Glory’s Declan O’Donnell tacked on a try under the posts and Robertson slotted the kick to take a 21-17 lead into the break.

Second Half

Rugby ATL struck first in the half with a try by Alex Maughan from a maul with Kurt Coleman slotting the conversion to take a 24-21 lead.

Old Glory struck next with Dylan Taikato-Simpson using a quick ball to Roberts-TeNana to Danny Tuitala for a try. Robertson then slotted the conversion to lead 28-24.

Rugby ATL added a bonus point try by Maughan in the 72nd minute to take a 29-28 point lead. Four minutes later, Bill Fukofuka was sent to the bin for a chop tackle and Jason Robertson slotted what would be the winning kick, 31-29.

Rugby ATL had one sustained attack and in the 80th minute, was penalized at the breakdown for a side entry. Robertson then tapped and kicked to touch for the win.