The Chicago Hounds hosted Rugby New York on Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14 at SeatGeek Stadium. The Ironworkers came back for a 21-20 win, which was not secured until Luke Carty’s penalty goal attempt bounced off the posts.
The match was broadcast on Marquee Sports Network Plus and MSG and streamed on The Rugby Network.
With the win, Rugby New York moves into second place in the MLR Eastern Conference with 32 points, with Old Glory 30, Rugby ATL 27, and NOLA Gold 26 points contested for the second and third playoff positions. Earlier today, New England beat Old Glory 42-24 and has a commanding 43 points in first-place.
Next week, the Ironworkers have a bye week ahead of their cross-country trip to play the Western Conference first-place team, San Diego Legion. The Chicago Hounds will travel to meet the Western Conference second-place Seattle Seawolves on Saturday, May 20.
Match Recap
The Chicago Hounds played inspired rugby for much of the match and had the first scoring opportunity early in the match, but Luke White was held up in goal and this resulted in a goal drop by New York.
The Ironworkers struck first a few minutes later, attacking from a lineout with Dylan Fawsitt scoring a try from a maul. Jason Emery added the extras to lead, 0-7.
The Hounds answered back with a Chris Mattina offload to Julian Dominguez for a try in the left corner, however, he was tackled high by Nick Feakes, which resulted in a penalty try and Feakes being sent to the bin, 7-7.
In the 34th minute, a New York penalty had Chicago taking the lead after a Luke Carty 40-meter penalty goal, 10-7. Carty had a 50-meter attempt just before the break that was missed.
Second Half
The Chicago Hounds added another penalty goal by Carty to increase the lead to 13-7 and then added a Julian Dominguez try after a Billy Meakes chip ahead. Carty slotted the conversion to lead 20-7.
Rugby New York came alive in the 60th minute as with a Sam Windsor offload to Andrew Coe for a try, with Windsor adding the extras to cut the lead to 20-14. The Ironworkers added another try by Ben Bonasso from close range in the 76th minute with Windsor converting for a 20-21 lead.
A lineout penalty gave the Chicago Hounds a chance for a win in the 80th minute, however, Luke Carty’s penalty goal attempt bounced off the posts and Jason Emery kicked over the dead ball line for the win.
Chicago who balled inspired rugby all day, will be disappointed in the result, while New York will take the important win in their quest for the playoffs.
Post-match awards went to Sam Windsor, who was named the Loosehead Player of the Match.
Squad with Player Article Links & Match Preview
CHICAGO HOUNDS: 1 LaRome White 2 Mason Koch 3 Paddy Ryan 4 Cam Dodson 5 John Cullen 6 Michael De Waal 7 Maclean Jones 8 Luke White 9 Sidney Shoop 10 Luke Carty 11 Julián Domínguez 12 Billy Meakes (C) 13Mark O’Keefe 14 Matai Leuta 15 Chris Mattina 16 Lindsey Stevens 17 George Thornton 18 Charlie Abel 19 Duke Krishnan 20 Justice Nkombua 21 Michael Baska 22 Bryce Campbell 23 JP Eloff
Rugby New York Ironworkers: 1 Chance Wenglewskii 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Kaleb Geiger 4 Nate Brakeley (C) 5 Hamish Dalzell 6 Brad Tucker7 Monate Akuei 8 Kara Pryor 9 Connor Buckley10 Jason Emery 11 Ed Fidow 12 Quinn Ngawati 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai 14 Andrew Coe 15 Nick Feakes16 Daquan Perry 17 Anthony Parry 18 Sam Davies 19 Charlie Hewitt 20 Ben Bonasso 21 Cristian Rodriguez 22 Sam Windsor 23 Brooklyn Hardaker
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