Awesome Austin overcome Seattle to secure top spot of MLR

In a battle of two undefeated MLR teams, the Seattle Seawolves played host to the Austin Gilgronis this evening. With an impressive second-half showing, the Gilgronis’ won 25-18 on the road. With it Austin are top of the MLR with a 4-0 record thus far in MLR 2022.

Played in freezing conditions, both teams had problems when in possession. Handling errors saw little time in between scrums. Following 17 minutes of stop-start-rugby, the AG’s opened the scoring. Mack Mason landed a penalty to put the men in orange in front. AJ Alatimu responded as the teams were 3-3 at the end of the opening quarter.

Both teams also scored once each in the second quarter. Mason put the AG’s out to a 6-3 lead in the 27th minute. The home side hit-back to claim the only try of the opening half. Good use of the width of the field saw the ball finding its way out to Duncan Matthews. With the conversion wide the scores were 8-6 at half-time.

The AG’s were not happy with their first half performance. They responded in style to open the second half. Following a strong carry from Bryce Campbell, the ball was spun wide for Argentine Julián Domínguez to score a simple try. Mason landed the sideline conversion to give the AG1s a five point lead.

Seattle responded by enjoying a strong period of play. Samu Manoa came on as an early substitute to quickly make an impact with a solid tackle on Domínguez. Seattle then turned a penalty opportunity into three points. AJ Alatimu landed an attempt from near halfway.

Austin scored again to underline the early rounds of MLR 2022 as their best start to a season. Domínguez went within inches of touching down in the try zone. Quick recycling saw replacement Locky McCaffrey go over. Mason’s conversion attempt was wide.

The AG’s were not done yet. Domínguez hit a gap to run close. His pass found Seawolves hands only for it to be coughed up. The loose ball saw Domínguez then being tackled close to the try line. The defense was unable to regather which saw Jake Turnbull into the try zone to power the AG’s out to a 14 point advantage.

The home side reduced the final score to a 7-point-deficit. Second-rower Rhyno Herbst powered over with time up on the clock. The conversion was added to conclude the scoring at 25-18.

Both teams will play again next Saturday. The March 5 fixtures see the AG’s at home against the reigning champions, the LA Giltinis. The Seawolves will remain at home to take on NOLA Gold.

 

SCORING

SEATTLE 18
Tries – D. Matthews (33′), R. Herbst (80′)
Cons – A. Alatimu 0/1, K. Joyce 1/1 (80′)
Pens – A. Alatimu 2/2 (20′, 54′)

AUSTIN 25
Tries – J. Domínguez (42′), L. McCaffrey (65′), J. Turnbull (70′)
Cons – M. Mason 2/3 (43′, 71′)
Pens – M. Mason 2/3 (17′, 26′)

 

TEAMS

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola (17 Dewald Donald 75′), 2 James Malcolm (16 Mike Brown 75′), 3 Tim Metcher (20 Taniela Tupou 78′), 4 Setefano Funaki (18 Samu Manoa 47′), 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Nakai Penny (19 Victor Comptat 61′), 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith (21 Reid Watkins 75′), 10 AJ Alatimu (22 Kieran Joyce 71′), 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Lauina Futi (23 Darell Williams 75′), 15 Duncan Matthews

AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Jake Turnbull 51′), 2 Hugh Roach (16 Mason Koch 77′), 3 Mason Pedersen (18 Namatahi Waa 51′), 4 Cam Dodson, 5 Isaac Ross (19 Christian Ostberg 61′), 6 Kyle Breytenbach, 7 Luke Beauchamp (20 Locky McCaffrey HT), 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens (21 Sidney Shoop 77′), 10 Mack Mason, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe (23 Dom Akina HT), 14 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 15 Chris Mattina (22 Will Magie 71′)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Chris Assmus (Canada) & Denny Russell (USA)
TMO: Kahlil Harrison (USA)