Rugby New York Upended by Late Toronto Arrows Try

It was a physical battle on a cold Sunday at JFK Stadium in Hoboken, New Jersey. The occasional snow flurries nor the cold made a difference for the rugby warriors in the defensive match. Two momentary defensive lapses made the difference as the Toronto Arrows beat Rugby New York with a try in the 78th minute to get themselves back in the race for the playoffs. The match was streamed on The Rugby Network, and replays are available for all MLR matches.

With the win, the Toronto Arrows’ record improved to 4-3, and are in 4th place in the Eastern Conference standings with 19 points. Rugby New York’s record fell to 5-2 and is in 3rd place with 25 points.

In the other Eastern Conference weekend matches, NOLA Gold defeated Old Glory DC 31-22 to improve their record to 3-4 with 16 points, with Old Glory still winless at 0-7, but picked up a bonus point in the loss, their first point in the standings.

Next week, Rugby New York hosts Old Glory DC on Sunday, April 3, and the Toronto Arrows have their first home match in Toronto in 1034 days.

Match Recap

Rugby New York struck first in the 19th minute with Kaleb Geiger scoring a try after a maul that originated from a lineout 5-meters from in-goal for a 5-0 lead.

New York had a similar opportunity from a lineout, but the Arrows’ defense repelled the home side and used a drop-out in-goal to clear. Kara Pryor gathered and was a scoring threat, but the Arrows won a key penalty at the breakdown and cleared.

Prior to the break, New York flyhalf Andy Ellis was hit in the air by Ueta Tufuga and sent to the bin, and with no additional scoring, Rugby New York had a 5-0 lead at the half.

The match was one where there were penalties from both sides at the breakdown and dark arts of scrummaging apparent in the scrums. Both teams went through attacking phases with the defenses of both teams up to the task of meeting their opponent’s challenges.

Second Half

Five minutes into the half, with Rugby New York attacking from deep inside their territory, Johnny Sheridan intercepted a pass and grounded under the posts to take a 7-5 lead.

An Arrows maul, which collapsed with the ball unplayable, resulted in a New York 5-meter scrum in their territory and in a turnover gave the Arrows a 5-meter attacking scrum. This scoring opportunity resulted in a penalty turnover.

Rugby New York had a few lineouts 5-meters from in-goal with Toronto’s Paul Ciulini sent to the bin. Soon after, New York moved the ball wide left with Ed Fidow scoring a try in the left corner to reclaim the lead 10-7 in the 68th minute.

Both teams could not penetrate their opponent’s defense until the 78th minute when Andrew Quattrin found a gap and scored the winning try under the posts, which held up for a Toronto 14-10 victory.