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Rugby ATL and the LA Giltinis met for the first time ever this evening. The MLR match was an instant hit as the teams played out a highly competitive match at Lupo Family Field in Marietta, Georgia.
No points were scored in the opening quarter. The teams used the width of the field yet neither side was able to score until the second quarter. The opening points went the way of the home side. The forwards put Rugby ATL in a strong position from which Bautista Ezcurra fired the ball to the left for Adriaan Carelse to catch and dive over. Carelse converted his own try.
LA quickly got themselves into Atlanta’s half of the field. Camped in Rugby ATL territory for several minutes, the Giltinis went close on more than one occasion. Eventually they found their way over. It came from a set-piece move. From a scrum Matt Giteau ran to the blindside and spun the ball to DTH van der Merwe. The Canadian got passed Jeremy Misailegalu to score.
The try was LA’s 50th of the season. Giteau had the opportunity to turn try number 50 into a 7-7 scoreline. His conversion attempt was short. The kick, though, was the least of the Giltinis’ concerns. Five minutes after the score came a moment of madness. Luke White head-butted Rowan Gouws following a ruck clearance. Referee JP Doyle red carded the Australian.
Rugby ATL extended their lead in the third quarter. In the one score of the quarter, the home side scored their second try. It came from sustained pressure from the forwards. With ATL marching forward, Ezcurra attacked to the left; He side-stepped two defenders and off-loaded to Ryan Rees for the try. The conversion put Rugby ATL up to a 17-5 lead.
The final quarter was all about LA. The Giltinis threatened to score only to have problems with their lineout. They did find their way over, however. Australian Angus Cottrell went over for his 10th of the season. The former Super Rugby player charged over for a first phrase try from a penalty. Luke Carty converted from wide.
LA went close to scoring in overtime. Rugby ATL held on for four extra minutes of attacking. They sealed their own win with a counter ruck. The players and supporters in attendance celebrated what was a classic, hard-fought victory. Captain Matt Heaton was man of the match. He was responsible for many tackles; Rugby ATL made 263 in the match.
Based on today’s match the teams may meet again in the play-off’s. Before then, however, both will need to focus on continuing their strong form and results during the regular season. The Giltinis have a bye next weekend. ATL travel to Louisiana to face NOLA Gold on Saturday.
SCORING
ATL 17
Tries – A. Carelse (22’), R. Rees (45’)
Cons – A. Carelse 2/2 (23’, 46’)
Pens – A. Carelse 1/1 (40’)
LA 12
Tries – D. van der Merwe (30’), A. Cottrell (75’)
Cons – M. Giteau 0/1, L. Carty 1/1 (75’)
Red cards – L. White (35’)
TEAMS
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Jonas Petrakopoulos 68’), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (16 Neethling Gericke 59’), 3 Wikus Groenewald (18 Will Burke 63′), 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Vili Helu (19 Conor Keys 63′), 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm (20 Ross Deacon 50’), 9 Rowan Gouws (22 Ryan Rees HT), 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Rory van Vugt, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Te Rangatira Waitokia (23 Robbie Petzer 68′)
Not used: 21 Connor Cook
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith (17 Blake Rogers 78′), 2 Sean McNulty (16 Lindsey Stevens 55’-78’), 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Luke White (19 Corey Thomas 55’), 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin (21 Pago Haini 27’), 8 Adam Ashe (20 Langilangi Haupeakui 59’), 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Bill Meakes (23 Ryan James 66’), 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Luke Burton (22 Luke Carty 73’)
Not used: 18 Frikkie de Beer
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Mike Lash (New Zealand) & Henrique Platais (Brazil)
