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A back-and-forth struggle in searing heat at Archbishop Shaw Field saw the Seattle Seawolves earn a narrow 31-29 victory over the New Orleans Gold on Saturday. Despite conceding five tries while scoring only four, 11 points from the boot of Seawolves kicker Peter Smith proved the difference with NOLA left to rue four misses shots at goal.
Seattle were clearly not prepared for the conditions and looked well off the pace in the first half, slipping off tackles and offering little on offense. Even their much-vaunted scrum was under pressure early with Ben Tarr getting the better of Olive Kilifi in the first few exchanges.
Peceli Rinakama had stepped into flyhalf for NOLA in the absence of JP Eloff and he proved up to the task, taking the team through several phases before slicing through a gap to score the first try. Smith stepped up to land a penalty but it was only temporary relief as Joeli Tikoisuva was freed on the left wing on a routine first phase scrum move. A third try went to Hubert Buydens after an incredible driving maul from more than 20 meters out.
At the half hour mark the Seawolves seemed to click back into gear. The mazy running of Shalom Suniula got them into scoring position and Will Holder went over to get them a boost heading into the intermission, with NOLA’s missed kicks somehow leaving Seattle just five points adrift.
The rejuvenated side found the line again – and their first lead – just after the break. Suniula made another break and William Rasileka was there on the angle to cut back in and bounce through the defense to score. Rasileka made his presence felt not long after with a huge run up the middle finished off by Peter Tiberio to make it 24-15.
With New Orleans now seemingly fading and the scrum tables turned, the Gold somehow conjured a score via Taylor Howden. The captain spotted two second rows standing side-by-side and a simple dummy put him through the line. A couple shimmies later he was diving in under the sticks, with Michael Baska taking the kicking duties.
A brilliant line saw Mat Turner take a short ball from Phil Mack, the fullback speeding away back inside and showing his pace to finish off a fine individual effort. New Orleans did not fold, however, and Matt Hughston found his way over in short order. Baska’s kick left just two points between the sides, but the clock would tick to a finale before the Gold could create another score.
Both teams will be in action again next weekend. New Orleans stay at home with the Houston SaberCats arriving on Saturday. The following day it will be Seattle hosting the Utah Warriors at Starfire Stadium as we approach the midpoint mark of the inaugural Major League Rugby season.
SCORING
NEW ORLEANS 29
Tries – P. Rinakama (12’), J. Tikoisuva (22’), H. Buydens (25’), T. Howden (62’), M. Hughston (72’)
Cons – T. Howden 0/2, M. Baska 2/3 (63’, 73’)
Pens – T. Howden 0/1
Yellow cards – T. Howden (80’)
SEATTLE 31
Tries – W. Holder (30’), W. Rasileka (43’), P. Tiberio (56’), M. Turner (66’)
Cons – P. Smith 4/4 (31’, 44’, 57’, 67’)
Pens – P. Smith 1/1 (20’)
TEAMS
NEW ORLEANS GOLD
1 Hubert Buydens (18 Derrek van Klein 50’), 2 Eric Howard (16 Amro Gouda 58’), 3 Ben Tarr (17 Cam Falcon 44’), 4 Nikola Bursic, 5 Matt Wirken (19 Billy Stewart 50’), 6 Moni Tonga’uiha, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 John Sullivan, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Peceli Rinakama (20 Todd Dupre 58’), 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 Taylor Howden (capt.), 13 Zack Stryffeler, 14 Bobby Johns (23 Melvin DeSouza 58’), 15 Michael Baska
Not used: 21 Myles McQuone, 22 Vita Makasini
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Olive Kilifi (16 Kellen Gordon 70’), 2 Mike Shepherd, 3 Tim Metcher (18 John Hayden 51’), 4 Cam Polson (19 Eric Duechle 74’), 5 Taylor Krumrei, 6 Vili Toluta’u, 7 Nakai Penny (20 Cole van Harn 46’), 8 Aladdin Schirmer, 9 Phil Mack, 10 Peter Smith, 11 Mat Turner, 12 Shalom Suniula (capt.) (22 George Barton 78’), 13 William Rasileka (23 Mozac Samson 74’), 14 Jeremy Misailegalu (21 Peter Tiberio HT), 15 Will Holder
Not used: 17 LaRome White
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (USAR)
Assistants: Josh Houston (USAR) & Jim Rogers (USAR)
