New York halts ATL win streak in pulsating contest

Rugby United New York were 31-24 winners over Rugby ATL in a pulsating contest at Belson Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The result halts ATL’s six-game winning streak but two losing bonus points keep the Ratlers at the top of the Eastern Conference for now.

A miscue off the boot of Rory van Vugt gave New York an opportunity and the took it. Dylan Fawsitt burst through the line on a flat pass from Harry Bennett, the captain taking on the last defender and offloading to Andy Ellis in support for a seven pointer.

The Ratlers nearly replied straight away. New York conceded a penalty and the visitors opted for the lineout instead of points. Marko Janse van Rensburg broke off the back of the resulting maul and made a beeline for the corner, only for Ellis to hold up the ball in-goal with a brave tackle.

It was only temporary respite for the home side, however, as ATL kept the pressure on until they got their just rewards. The ball went wide where Jason Damm was loitering with intent, the big No8 fending off two challengers on his way to score.

Another Fawsitt line break nearly conjured a second try for New York. This time Benjamín Bonasso was there to take it close to the line but his return pass to Fawsitt was picked off by Wikus Groenewald, and the Ratlers were able to clear their lines.

Apenisa Cakaubalavu broke the game open with a scintillating counterattack, stepping past two chasers and tearing straight up the field. Kara Pryor was there on his left to score five but Chris Mattina couldn’t add the extra two.

The home side suffered a hammer blow at the 27 minute mark when Ellis was carried off after twisting his ankle awkwardly in a tackle. Conor McManus came into the game and New York went straight back on attack. The ATL defense repelled several phases on their line until Kyle Sumsion had the awareness to reach out and ground the ball on the line. Mattina’s conversion attempt was charged down by former teammate Mark O’Keeffe.

A reply from the Ratlers came soon after. Groenewald muscled his way to within a meter of the line and Johan Momsen was there to follow up for the try. Carelse had no issue finding his target on this occasion to make it a full seven. At halftime the score stood at 17-12 to New York.

It wasn’t long after the restart when Kara Pryor broke through to put New York back on the front foot. Quick ball to Fa’asiu Fuatai saw the center in behind the defense, and McManus was there to take an inside ball in for the bonus point try.

Bautista Ezcurra closed the gap as he fought through the tackle of Harry Bennett to score a try. No sooner had he returned to the other side of the pitch when New York struck back for a try of their own. Loosehead prop James Rochford intercepted a casual pass from Carelse to pick up an automatic seven.

The visitors were desperate to get back in the game but were left frustrated after Marno Redelinghuys was help up. They would get the try bonus at last as Alex Maughan burrowed over from close range, with the conversion from Carelse securing a second bonus. A late opportunity to kick for an attacking lineout was squandered as the ball missed touch, with Ben Foden instead kicking the ball dead to end the game.

It’s a short turnaround for both sides as they return to action next Saturday. New York hosts another difficult opponent in Western Conference contenders Utah. ATL heads home to take on the Houston SaberCats as part of an MLR double-header in Marietta.

 

SCORING

NEW YORK 31
Tries – A. Ellis (5’), A. Cakaubalavu (23’), K. Sumsion (31’), C. McManus (44’), J. Rochford (60’)
Cons – No kick 3 (5’, 44’, 60’), C. Mattina 0/2

ATL 24
Tries – J. Damm (12’), J. Momsen (36’), B. Ezcurra (58’), A. Maughan (69’)
Cons – A. Carelse 2/4 (37’, 70’)

 

TEAMS

RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford (17 Anthony Parry 61’), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Samu Tawake (18 Wilton Rebolo 53’), 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Evan Mintern, 6 Kyle Sumsion (20 Hanco Germishuys HT), 7 Benjamín Bonasso, 8 Kara Pryor (19 Charlie Hewitt 47’), 9 Andy Ellis (21 Conor McManus 27’), 10 Harry Bennett, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu (22 Will Leonard 53’), 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai (23 Joel Miranda 59′), 14 Chris Mattina, 15 Ben Foden

Not used: 16 Rob Irimescu

RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Jonas Petrakopoulos 59’), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (18 Manasa Saulo 59’), 3 Wikus Groenewald (16 Alex Maughan 53’), 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Conor Keys (19 Marno Redelinghuys 59’), 6 Connor Cook, 7 Ross Deacon (20 Vili Helu 63’), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Mark O’Keeffe (21 Robbie Petzer 59’), 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Rory van Vugt (capt.)

Not used: 22 Sam Cowley, 23 Duncan van Schalkwyk

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)