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LA’s perfect run to start their Major League Rugby story has come to an end. A sterling defensive effort and six penalty goals from the boot of Dan Hollinshead earned Rugby United New York an 18-16 win over their esteemed visitors at a windy Cochrane Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The game will not be remembered as a classic in terms of execution but the collisions could be felt by spectators from the first minute to the last. LA passed up an early opportunity for three points to instead take the corner. They would revisit that decision as New York held strong, with Luke Burton splitting the uprights to open the scoring on 8 minutes.
Hollinshead’s first penalty landed soon after, while at the same time both sides lost key players to injury. Glenn Bryce has helped off with an ankle problem with Ryan James entering for the Giltinis. Juan Manuel Leguizamón’s knee had enough just 15 minutes into his MLR debut, Kyle Sumsion taking over at the back of New York’s scrum.
The first and only try of the match came just ahead of the half-hour mark. Lindsey Stevens stepped away from Andy Ellis and between two props to break the line. The LA hooker found Luke Carty in support, who finished the simple two-on-one to send DTH van der Merwe free. Five became seven with Burton’s successful conversion.
New York clawed back with a second Hollinshead penalty to make it 10-6. His third kick on the other side of halftime closed the gap to one after Sumsion had made good ground on a powerful burst from a ruck.
Once again the Giltinis scoffed at an easy kick at goal to opt for the corner, but Hollinshead was the hero in defense this time with a turnover at the breakdown. Nate Brakeley mimicked his effort in LA territory to give the flyhalf his fourth short and he made no mistake to give New York their first lead of the game.
A reciprocal opportunity was immediately gifted to the Giltinis on the restart, and then came a moment of controversy. Burton’s kick from the tee appeared to drift wide of the right uprights, but the flags went up and the referee awarded the three points with protests falling on deaf ears.
The first miss of the day from Hollinshead felt ominous but the pendulum swung once more on the hour mark. Will Leonard won a turnover to gave Hollinshead a chance at redemption and this time he made no mistake to make it 15-13 to New York at the second hydration break.
Ill-discipline saw Samu Tawake’s game end early at 70 minutes with Burton landing the three to give the Giltinis a one-point lead. At the other end a high tackle landed Adam Ashe in the bin, and Hollinshead coolly slotted the kick to retake the lead.
Both sides would have attacking opportunities in the closing minutes but a turnover cost LA possession. Harry Bennett smashed the ball downfield from well inside his own end to force the Giltinis to play from their own 5 meter line. There would be no coming back as another turnover gave the ball back to New York. When the hooter rang Conor McManus sent the ball into the stands as his teammates rejoiced.
The Champagne Cup will be filled in moderation with a short turnaround ahead of next week. New York will be on the road on Saturday against the Austin Gilgronis. It’s a home game for LA on the same day as they welcome rugby to SoFi Stadium with the Utah Warriors their guests.
SCORING
NEW YORK 18
Pens – D. Hollinshead 6/7 (14’, 37’, 42’, 51’, 60’, 74’)
Yellow cards – S. Tawake (70’)
LA 16
Tries – D. van der Merwe (27’)
Cons – L. Burton 1/1 (28’)
Pens – L. Burton 3/3 (8’, 53’, 71’)
Yellow cards – A. Ashe (73’)
TEAMS
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford (16 Wilton Rebolo 46’), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.) (17 Anthony Parry 67’), 3 Zak Taulafo (18 Samu Tawake 46’), 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 Kara Pryor (21 Benjamín Bonasso 55’), 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón (20 Kyle Sumsion 15’ {19 Charlie Hewitt 63’}), 9 Andy Ellis (22 Conor McManus 63’), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Quinn Ngawati, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Joel Miranda (23 Harry Bennett 69’), 15 Troy Lockyear (2 Dylan Fawsitt 79’)
LA GILTINIS
1 Blake Rogers (18 Mafi Seanoa 75’), 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Charlie Abel (17 Frikkie de Beer 64’), 4 Dave Dennis (capt.) (19 Corey Thomas 52’), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell (20 Langilangi Haupeakui 54′), 7 Christian Poidevin (16 Sean McNulty 46’), 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard (21 Cristian Rodriguez 79’), 10 Luke Carty, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Luke Burton, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper (22 Watson Filikitonga 79’), 14 John Ryberg, 15 Glenn Bryce (23 Ryan James 15’)
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)
