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Rugby ATL underlined their MLR title credentials this evening. The Atlanta side were 8-7 winners over NOLA Gold. In what seemed like a test match at times, Rugby ATL were 8-7 winners. The result extends ATL’s winning streak to six matches. It also keeps them at the top of the Eastern Conference.
First blood went to the Ratlers. It came in the 13th minute of play. It was opportunistic yet clinical. The ball squirted out of a NOLA scrum. From there ATL attacked to the right; Mark O’Keeffe got good go-forward ball. Fly half Adriaan Carelse kicked through for Jeremy Misailegalu to gather and dot down in the right corner.
The Gold played the better rugby in the second quarter. They looked to use the width of the field to attack only to lose the ball forward on several occasions.
Eventually they were awarded with points. It came in an unthinkable manner and did so after a scoring opportunity was missed. In the 37th minute NOLA shoved back the ATL scrum to win a penalty. Cam Dolan turned down a regulation shot at goal to look for seven points. Pat O’Toole’s lineout from the kick to the corner was not straight.
ATL had been let off lightly; however, NOLA found they way into the try zone. It saw a schoolboy error from Duncan van Schalkwyk. Referee Scott Green told him to use the ball twice. Dolan did not need a third invitation as he touched the ball down for a try. Damian Stevens converted to give the Gold a 7-5 half-time lead; and important lead in what was the team’s final home match of the 2021 MLR season.
The pattern continued in the third quarter; however, unlike the first two there were no points scored in the third. NOLA camped in the opposition 22. The home side threatened to score; the forwards were gaining good ground. After minutes of raids the visitors were awarded a defensive penalty. With it ATL survived and were able to kick to half-way.
NOLA looked to be over minutes later. Kyle Rogers was over the try zone only to be pulled back by O’Keeffe. The try saving tackle turned out to be a match-defining moment.
Rugby ATL reclaimed the lead with 8 minutes left on the lock. NOLA were penalized for having a player in front of a kick. This saw man of the match Carelse slotting a penalty. It was the only score of the second half by either team.
Both teams will play again next weekend. In week 13 both teams will travel to the north-east. NOLA faces Old Glory DC while ATL takes on Rugby United New York.
SCORING
NOLA 7
Tries – C. Dolan (39′)
Cons – D. Stevens 1/1 (40′)
ATL 8
Tries – J. Misailegalu (12′)
Cons – A. Carelse 0/1
Pens – A. Carelse 1/1 (72′)
TEAMS
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon (17 Kevin Sullivan 58′), 2 Pat O’Toole (16 Kevin O’Connor 65′), 3 Dino Waldren (18 John Sullivan 61′), 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Billy Stewart (19 Nikola Bursic 49′), 6 Moni Tonga’uiha (20 Devin Short 58′), 7 Andrew Guerra, 8 Cam Dolan (capt.), 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 JP du Plessis (22 Ross Depperschmidt 76′), 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Tim Maupin, 15 Kyle Rogers (23 Hanno Dirksen 67′)
Not used: 21 Holden Yungert
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (18 Manasa Saulo 61′), 2 Neethling Gericke (16 Marko Janse van Rensburg 54′), 3 Wikus Groenewald (17 Jonas Petrakopoulos 37′), 4 Johan Momsen (19 Conor Keys HT), 5 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Connor Cook (20 Ross Deacon 49′), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Duncan van Schalkwyk (22 Ryan Rees 45′), 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Rory van Vugt (capt.), 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu (23 Robbie Petzer 58′), 15 Te Rangatira Waitokia
Not used: 21 Mike Matarazzo
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Allen Alongi (USA)
