Rugby New York Clinch Home Playoff Match in Utah Warriors Loss

Rugby New York gained a bonus point after the team’s fourth try by Ishmail Shabazz and will host Old Glory DC in a playoff eliminator match on Sunday, June 25th at 6 pm at Memorial Field at Mt. Vernon, New York.

The Ironworkers mounted a comeback against the Utah Warriors and were within a converted try of a win, but the Utah Warriors tacked on a try in extra time for a 43-33 win. Replays of the match may be viewed on The Rugby Network.

Match Recap

The Utah Warriors traveled to New York ready to play. They had the first scoring opportunity from a lineout near in goal, but the ensuing maul was pulled down and Charlie Hewitt was sent to the bin. Utah attacked again from a 5-meter lineout with Henry Bell grounding, and Joel Hodgson’s conversion wide, 0-5.

Rugby New York answered back after sending the ball wide left to Ishmail Shabazz, followed by a break by Kaleb Geiger. A Tei Walden grub kick resulted in a Brendon O’Connor try with Sam Windsor slotting the extras, 7-5.

The Utah Warriors struck back after moving the ball wide right to Caleb Makene and inside to Cliven Loubser for a try, with Hodgson’s conversion wide, 7-10.

The Ironworkers answered from an attacking lineout with a Dylan Fawsitt try from a maul. Windsor converted again, 14-10.

In this seesaw battle, Cliven Loubser grounded the ball in the right corner with Jason Emery attempting a saving tackle. A TMO allowed the try with Hodgson converting from touch, 14-17.

New York used an attacking lineout and maul to then move the ball out to Tei Walden, to Dylan Fawsitt with a Sam Windsor dummy, and offload inside to Ishmail Shabazz. Jason Emery then scored from the breakdown with Windsor’s conversion wide, 19-17.

Second Half

The Utah Warriors opened the half with two tries by Joel Hodgson and by Calvin Whiting with Hodgson adding the extras, 19-31.

Following an Ironworkers attacking lineout inside Utah’s 22-meters, Dylan Fawsitt gathered the ball and moved the ball left with Ishmail Shabazz scoring in the left corner to clinch a bonus point and second place in the Eastern Conference and a home eliminator playoff match next Sunday against Old Glory DC, 26-31.

Rugby New York’sNick Feakes appeared to score a try to level the match but was ruled to have stepped into touch prior to grounding.

The Ironworkers Connor Buckley then executed a 50/22 for an attacking lineout inside the Warriors’ 22 meters, but an intercept by Lance Williams thwarted this scoring attempt. Instead, Jurie Van Vuuren scampered 40 meters for a try with Hodgson converting, 26-38.

Following a clearance kick by Joel Hodgson, Sam Windsor counted with a booming 50/22 kick for an attacking lineout deep inside Utah territory. Daquan Perry finished with a try under the posts to cut the lead to 33-38.

Could the Ironworkers come back for the win?

A Nick Feakes no-wrap tackle sent him to the bin with two minutes left in the match. The ensuing Utah lineout deep inside New York territory and the Warriors moved the ball to Hodgson, who cross-kicked to Logan Tago, however, the ball was mishandled resulting in an Ironworkers scrum.

Sam Windsor chipped ahead with Brooklyn Hardaker chasing. Utah gathered the ball and Tyler Fisher offloaded to Jesse Hamilton for a try in the 81st minute with Hodgson’s conversion wide, 33-43.

Player of the Match honors went to Ishmail Shabazz of Rugby New York. Utah Warriors’ man of the match was certainly Joel Hodgson. Ironworkers Sam Windsor played in his 75th MLR match.

Rugby New York finished with an 8-8 record with 43 points and finished in second place over Old Glory DC because of more wins. DC finished with a 7-8-1 record and 43 points.

The Utah Warriors finished in fourth place in the Western Conference with a 10-6 record and 50 points, while third place Houston SaberCats also had a 10-6 record, but had 53 points.

While the regular season had ended, there was still some time for both teams to gather at Alternative Medicine Brewing Company for socializing.