Arrows recover to earn bonus point win over ATL

The Toronto Arrows came away with a hard-earned 28-18 win over Rugby ATL at Lupo Field on Sunday afternoon. ATL were in the lead at halftime but the Canadian side pulled away in the final quarter of a highly physical encounter.

Much of the early territory and possession favored the Arrows. The pressure turned into points as left wing Leandro Leivas popped up on the right side of the pitch to create an imbalance, taking an inside pass from Ben LeSage in for the opening try. Sam Malcolm’s pinpoint accuracy continued from the tee to make it a full seven points.

ATL nearly responded in kind moments later as Zander van Schalkwyk flew down the sideline on a counter attack. He connected with support but the ball was knocked on and Toronto were able to temporarily clear their lines. A penalty gave Kurt Coleman his first shot at the uprights from 30 meters out and he made no mistake to get the home side on the board just ahead of the hydration break.

The next 20 minutes would belong to ATL. Toronto’s defense was stingy, bending but refusing to break as wave after wave of attacks crashed into the line. Eventually Coleman would slot a second penalty, and then at last ATL got what they were looking for.

Jeremy Misailegalu found a hole and put the Arrows on the back foot. An offside penalty presented another kicking opportunity but this time Coleman opted for the corner. The lineout drive worked to plan and Alex Maughan grounded the ball for the try. Coleman’s conversion was off target but ATL would take the 11-7 lead into halftime.

Both sides reached for fresh legs to combat the intensity. The Arrows brought on regular starters Andrew Quattrin and Lucas Rumball to start the second half. Just a few minutes later ATL summoned Chance Wenglewski and Conor Keys from the bench.

Toronto were keen to make it a battle of attrition and their scrum began to turn the screw. The pressure was relentless and ATL could only hold out for so long before Tomás de la Vega burrowed over from short range as the visitors re-took the lead.

Another score would come to the Arrows soon after. From a midfield scrum Manuel Diana broke right, but Andrew Ferguson switched the play back to the left with Tayler Adams sending Leivas into the corner for his second. With Malcolm now off Adams took the kicking duties and Toronto had a 10 point lead.

There was life yet in ATL and Coleman broke free on a storming run before sending Vili Helu down the left sideline. Helu was stopped short but Ferguson’s tackle was deemed illegal and the scrumhalf was sent to the sin bin for his troubles.

At the ensuing throw-in the drive came on and just as before it ended over the line, with Neethling Gericke the man in possession for a try on debut. Coleman’s conversion would close the gap to three but that was as close as his men would get.

Riley DiNardo came on to shore up the scrumhalf spot in Ferguson’s absence. A long-range penalty attempt from Adams went wide but ATL couldn’t escape their end. Gericke went from hero to villain, earning a yellow card for slowing the ball down.

With a minute to play Toronto made full use of an attacking scrum, splitting the backline against the now-shorthanded ATL defense. Gastón Mieres became the extra attacker, slicing through on the left side and curling in under the posts for the bonus point try. The conversion from Adams was academic as ATL were in turn left without a losing bonus point.

It’s a short turnaround for the Arrows, who now head to Colorado where the Raptors await on Friday evening. ATL will head north to play expansion rivals Old Glory DC on their home turf.

SCORING

ATL 18
Tries – A. Maughan (39’), N. Gericke (70’)
Cons – K. Coleman 1/2 (71’)
Pens – K. Coleman 2/2 (19’, 32’)
Yellow cards – N. Gericke (76’)

TORONTO 28
Tries – L. Leivas 2 (14’, 62’), T. de la Vega (56’), G. Mieres (80’)
Cons – S. Malcolm 2/2 (15’, 57’), T. Adams 2/2 (63’, 80’)
Pens – T. Adams 0/1
Yellow cards – A. Ferguson (69’)

TEAMS

RUGBY ATL
1 Jamie Ferrante (17 Chance Wenglewski 46’), 2 Alex Maughan (18 Julian Montes 63’), 3 Cronan Gleeson (16 Neethling Gericke 52’), 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Stefan Willemse (19 Conor Keys 46’), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Matt Heaton (co-capt.), 8 Ross Deacon (20 Vili Helu 63’), 9 Duncan van Schalkwyk (21 Kurtis Werner 72’), 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Harley Wheeler (23 Sean Coughlan 57’), 12 Ryan Nell (co-capt.) (22 Martini Talapusi 63’), 13 Jeremy Misailegalu, 14 Harley Davidson (2 Alex Maughan 76’), 15 Zander van Schalkwyk

TORONTO ARROWS
1 Richie Asiata (17 Rob Brouwer 57’), 2 Steven Ng (16 Andrew Quattrin HT), 3 Cole Keith, 4 Kolby Francis, 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Peter Milazzo (20 Lucas Rumball HT), 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Andrew Ferguson, 10 Tayler Adams, 11 Leandro Leivas (21 Riley DiNardo 72’), 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Dan Moor (capt.) (22 Mitch Richardson 65’), 15 Sam Malcolm (23 Gastón Mieres 57’)

Not used: 18 Pat Lynott, 19 Tom van Horne

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Joe Burpoe (USA)