ATL downs Old Glory to remain top of the East

Rugby ATL downed Old Glory DC 32-12 this evening. The win was Rugby ATL’s first over Old Glory DC. The comprehensive win means that Atlanta remain top of the East. The Ratlers loom as not only Eastern Conference champions but also overall MLR title contenders.

Atlanta turned down a second minute penalty shot at goal. Their lineout was overthrown. Old Glory DC cleared their lines but not far enough. Rugby ATL capitalized from the following lineout. Quick meters had Argentine Bautista Ezcurra stopped a meter short. Hooker Marko Janse van Rensburg then powered over. Ezcurra converted for a 7-0 early lead.

Ezcurra is the leading tackle-breaker in MLR this season. Atlanta, though did not need footwork from the backs. Their forwards were doing the job for them. Wikus Groenewald powered over for try number two. The South African’s first MLR try was under the posts.

Ezcurra landed a 22nd minute penalty to give Rugby ATL a 17-0 lead. Old Glory DC needed a response. Following a long period of attacking play, they found their way onto the scoresheet. Co-Captain Thretton Palamo ran over for the Glory. Jason Robertson converted from wide.

The Ratlers hit back on the stork of half time. Ezcurra provided an assist for Austin White. The fullback went over for his first MLR try in his fifth league appearance.

Like in the first half, the early second half play went the way of the home side. Rugby ATL took eight minutes to score their fourth try. Center Mark O’Keeffe dotted it down to give the Ratlers their bonus point.

The Ratlers extended their lead with a penalty. It was to be their final points of the match. The beaten Old Glory DC had the final say. A try on full-time from Callum Gibbins ended the scoring with twenty points separating the teams.

Rugby ATL have next week off. Their next match will be away to the Utah Warriors on July 10. Old Glory DC play in Atlanta again next weekend; but, their opposition will be the Toronto Arrows.

 

SCORING

ATL 32
Tries – M. Janse van Rensburg (2′), W. Groenewald (14′), A. White (39′), M. O’Keeffe (48′)
Cons – B. Ezcurra 2/3 (3′, 49′), No kick (14′)
Pens – B. Ezcurra 1/1 (22′), K. Coleman 1/1 (76′)
Yellow cards – J. Misailegalu (28′)

DC 12
Tries – T. Palamo (33′), C. Gibbins (80’+2′)
Cons – J. Robertson 1/2 (34′)
Yellow cards – R. Roberts-Te Nana (46′)

 

TEAMS

RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan (17 Will Burke 65′), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (16 Neethling Gericke 53′), 3 Wikus Groenewald (18 Manasa Saulo 55′), 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Connor Cook, 7 Ross Deacon, 8 Jason Damm (19 Vili Helu 67′), 9 Rowan Gouws ( 21 Ryan Rees 55′), 10 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Mark O’Keeffe (23 Sam Cowley 67′), 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Austin White (22 Kurt Coleman 55′)

Not used: 20 Sean Coughlan

OLD GLORY DC
1 Jamie Dever (17 Jack Iscaro 50′), 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai (16 James King 52′), 3 Steven Longwell (18 Dante Lopresti 50′), 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Api Naikatini, 6 Cory Daniel (20 Callum Gibbins 14′), 7 Mungo Mason (co-capt.) (19 Casey Renaud 55′), 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 9 Danny Tusitala , 10 Jason Robertson, 11 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 12 Ciaran Hearn (23 D’Montae Noble 60′), 13 Thretton Palamo (co-capt.), 14 Mike Dabulas, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson (22 Sam Cusano 20′ {21 Danny Thomas 69′})

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Pete Chamberlain (USA)