Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Rugby ATL were bonus point winners this evening. For much of the game the Ratlers were made to work hard; such was the commitment from the Houston SaberCats. In the end, Atlanta won 33-15 to go five points ahead of New York in the Eastern Conference. The match was historic; never before had the teams met.
Rain affected the play throughout. This included complicating scoring opportunities. The opening score came 14 minutes in. The Ratlers won an attacking penalty from which they kicked for the corner. They mauled over with Ross Deacon touching down in the try zone. Adriaan Carelse’s conversion attempt narrowly missed.
Houston responded several minutes later. Fullback Sam Windsor landed a penalty to make it a 7-3 score in the final points of the opening quarter. A second strike made it a one-point deficit after 26 minutes.
Houston were kicking for goal rather than going for tries. Following a third Windsor penalty Rugby ATL looked to do the opposite. Atlanta’s forwards attacked the try zone with Jason Damm ultimately going over. The N8 continued his excellent season to score under the posts. A fourth Windsor penalty made it a 12-12 half-time scoreline.
The first points after the restart went to Windsor. His 46th minute kick was made possible by Argentine prop Nicolás Solveyra winning a penalty from a Ratler scrum. Windsor’s kick bounced over after hitting the cross-bar.
Two minutes later Rugby ATL had a kickable penalty and, like in the first half, opted to kick to the corner. Like in the first half the response was a lineout and maul which led to a try. Deacon scored his second from which Carelse converted.
The restart saw Carelse attacking. the Namibian broke and looked to have an assist try. Instead, his countryman, Adriaan Booysen managed to tackle and knock the ball out of Te Rangatira Waitokia’s hands.
The Ratlers have been highly consistent throughout the season. One player who has been a constant part of this is Jason Damm. His second try gave them the bonus point as the clock entered the fourth quarter.
Atlanta were now on top and in firm control. The Ratlers quickly fought their way deep into Houston’s 22. The forwards again looked to add more points. Replacement hooker Neethling Gericke drove into the try zone for the Ratlers’ fifth try.
Both teams will play again next weekend. Rugby ATL will remain at home. Their Week 15 fixture will be an Eastern Conference clash against Old Glory DC. The Houston SaberCats will run out at AVEVA Stadium against the Utah Warriors.
SCORING
ATL 33
Tries – R. Deacon 2 (14’, 48’), J. Damm 2 (36’, 60’), N. Gericke (67’)
Cons – A. Carelse 3/4 (49’, 61’, 68’), No kick (36’)
HOUSTON 15
Pens – S. Windsor 5/5 (17’, 25’, 33’, 40’, 45’)
TEAMS
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan (17 Will Burke 58’), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (16 Neethling Gericke HT), 3 Wikus Groenewald (18 Manasa Saulo 46’), 4 Johan Momsen (20 Vili Helu 73’), 5 Conor Keys (19 Marno Redelinghuys 46’), 6 Connor Cook, 7 Ross Deacon, 8 Jason Damm, 9 Ryan Rees (21 Rowan Gouws 46’), 10 Adriaan Carelse (23 Sean Coughlan 73’), 11 Rory van Vugt (capt.) (22 Sam Cowley 23’), 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Robbie Petzer, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Te Rangatira Waitokia
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Nicolás Solveyra, 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Nik Hildebrand (18 CJ Burke 66’), 4 Apisai Tauyavuca (19 Bronson Teles 58’), 5 Lucas Albornoz (17 Liam Murray 58’), 6 Luke Beauchamp (capt.), 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Adriaan Booysen (20 Diego Magno 54’), 9 Zachary Short (21 Nick Boyer 61’), 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Zack Godfrey (23 Jake Hidalgo 58’), 12 Max Tacket, 13 Veramu Dikidikilati, 14 Paula Balekana, 15 Sam Windsor (22 Joe Thomas 71’)
Not used: 16 Mike Brown
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Henrique Platais (Brazil) & Cisco Lopez (USA)
