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Rugby United New York overcame the Austin Elite this afternoon, winning 19-11 in San Antonio, Texas. The fixture saw Austin moving their home match to Toyota Field.
While the Austin Elite were beaten by eight points they competed until late, hoping to sneak in a bonus point. It was not to be, however, which saw them succumbing to their 8th defeat of the season to now have an 0-8 record.
While Austin will need to think hard to address another defeat today’s winning team, Rugby United New York are title contenders. The team from the Empire State have a 7-1 record and are asking teams to play very well to defeat them.
The opening half in San Antonio was Rugby United New York on top. The visitors were winning there key contact battles though the Austin Elite was able to compete well in the lineout were they did win opposition ball.
Despite this being the case it would be the lineout area which saw Rugby United New York scoring the opening points. Scoring was Marcus Walsh who opened up a 5-0 lead after he combined with Mike Brown to catch the Austin Elite defense off-guard.
The opportunity to make it a 7-0 scoreline was not taken as Harry Bennett’s attempted conversion rebounded off the posts. At the other end of the field the Austin Elite would hit back with scrum-half Mickaël Romera cutting the deficit to two points with a penalty.
No further points would be scored in the opening half though the visitors would go close. From an attacking lineout Rugby United New York looked to drive over. The raids were repelled, however, which saw the match remanning a two point contest at half time.
It would take twelve minutes for the opening points to come in the second half. Slotting a 52nd minute penalty was Romera, and with it the Austin Elite went ahead 6-5.
Rugby United New York would respond, doing so with their second try of the match. Flanker James Denise went over for a try converted by center Chris Mattina. It gave the visitors a healthy 12-6 advantage.
The Texans fought back to add another twist to the second half. The injection of replacements scrum half Marcelo Torrealba from the bench was effective. The Chilean made a break which resulted in replacement Reece Czarnecki touching down in the left corner.
With JP Aguirre’s attempted conversion sailing side the Austin Elite remained one point behind. Rugby United New York would not be caught up to with 57 time capped USA Eagles scrum half Mike Petri crossing for the decisive try. He did so following smart work from Ross Decon. In the final point scoring moment of the match Mattina’s conversion made it an eight point ball game.
Rugby United New York now return home to rest. They have a bye in week 11. Austin Elite travel to southern California to face the San Diego Legion on April 07.
SCORING
AUSTIN 11
Tries – R. Czarnecki (69’)
Cons – J. Aguirre 0/1
Pens – M. Romera 2/2 (30’, 52’)
NEW YORK 19
Tries – M. Walsh (21’), J. Denise (60’), M. Petri (73’)
Cons – H. Bennett 0/1, C. Mattina 2/2 (61’, 74’)
TEAMS
AUSTIN ELITE
1 LaRome White (18 Brendan Rams 59’), 2 Tiaan Erasmus (17 Chris Schade 61’), 3 Juan Echeverría, 4 Ben Mitchell (capt.), 5 Josh Larsen (19 Dylan Pieterse 65’), 6 Rikus Zwart (20 Kyle Breytenbach 37’), 7 Moe Abdelmonem (16 Dom Bailey 61’), 8 Travis Larsen, 9 Mickaël Romera (21 Marcelo Torrealba 63’), 10 Rodrigo Silva, 11 Sione Fangaiuiha, 12 Andrés Vilaseca (22 Doug Fraser 57’), 13 JP Aguirre, 14 Aidan McMullan (23 Reece Czarnecki 68’), 15 Soheyl Jaoudat
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford (17 Anthony Parry 57’), 2 Mike Brown (16 Callum Mackintosh 57’), 3 Paddy Ryan (18 Chris Sullivan 57’), 4 Trevor Cassidy (19 Matt Wirken 36’), 5 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 6 John Quill (20 Ross Deacon HT), 7 James Denise, 8 Matt Hughston, 9 Marcus Walsh (21 Mike Petri 61’), 10 Harry Bennett (23 Luke Hume 57’), 11 Gavan D’Amore-Morrison, 12 Mike St. Claire (22 Mark O’Keeffe HT), 13 Chris Mattina, 14 Seimou Smith, 15 Ben Foden
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Assistants: Mike O’Brien (USAR) & Kat Roche (USAR)
