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A superb defensive performance from the Toronto Arrows led them to a 14-10 win over Rugby New York at JFK Stadium on Sunday. Despite conceding the bulk of possession and territory in the final hour to their hosts, the Arrows hung on with Andrew Quattrin’s 78th minute try clinching a famous victory.
In the opening quarter it was the visitors who were on the front foot. Line breaks from Johnny Sheridan and Ronan Foley had alarm bells ringing for New York. Cole Keith came within inches of scoring but the Arrows couldn’t finish their opportunities as Andy Ellis won a turnover.
It was doubly-bad news for Toronto as they lost scrumhalf Ross Braude to a leg injury. New York gained possession and and when Will Tucker was taken out in the lineout they simply opted for another throw-in. This time the ball came down cleanly and the drive was successful with Kaleb Geiger on the bottom of the pile to get the credit for the try.
Toronto’s defense held off a number of New York advances, including a storming run from Kara Pryor from a goal-line dropout. Sam Malcolm was the courageous tackler, and he was called to the sideline for an HIA after the tackle as Ueta Tufuga tackled Ellis in the air. The midfielder was shown a yellow card but the Arrows held on to halftime.
Malcolm returned for the start of the second half and the Arrows caught a break five minutes after play resumed. Ed Fidow took his eyes off the ball and Sheridan snatched it off the deck, racing in under the posts for a seven-pointer against the run of play.
New York continued to press and eventually the Arrows started to wear down. Paul Ciulini was sent to the bin for dangerous play at the lineout. The home side were on another advantage when the ball was spun wide to Fidow, and there was no stopping the Samoan powerhouse at full flight. Sam Windsor couldn’t connect with the conversion, however, to leave it a 10-7 game.
A mistake from Troy Lockyear gave the Arrows field position as the fullback kicked the ball out on the full. After inching their way forward through numerous phases Chris Bell attempted an ill-advised kick, but it rebounded into the hands of Foley and Toronto were still alive.
Quattrin took a short pass from Bell and looked to be stopped on the gainline but he somehow powered through three defenders and fended off Lockyear on his way to the tryline. New York had one last possession but Toronto won a turnover and with the clock dead Bell smashed the ball into touch.
The Arrows will celebrate and prepare for their long-awaited return home as they host Rugby ATL at York Lions Stadium on Saturday. New York are at home again next Sunday with Old Glory DC their guests.
SCORING
NEW YORK 10
Tries – K. Geiger (20′), E. Fidow (68′)
Cons – A. Ellis 0/1, S. Windsor 0/1
TORONTO 14
Tries – J. Sheridan (45′), A. Quattrin (78′)
Cons – No kick 2 (45′, 78′)
YC – U. Tufuga (37′), P. Ciulini (65′)
TEAMS
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Zak Taulafo 75′), 2 Kaleb Geiger (16 Dylan Fawsitt 51′), 3 Kalolo Tuiloma (18 Wilton Rebolo 46′), 4 Will Tucker (19 Charlie Hewitt HT), 5 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Kara Pryor (20 Joe Basser 55′), 9 Conor McManus (21 Connor Buckley 57′), 10 Andy Ellis (22 Sam Windsor 47′), 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Quinn Ngawati (23 Jason Emery 47′), 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Troy Lockyear
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Mike Sheppard (capt.) (19 Lolani Faleiva 57′-61′), 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Lucas Rumball, 7 James O’Neill, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Ross Braude (21 Chris Bell 16′), 10 Sam Malcolm (22 Will Kelly 37′-HT), 11 Mitch Richardson, 12 Ueta Tufuga (23 Guiseppe du Toit 65′), 13 Dennon Robinson-Bartlett, 14 Johnny Sheridan, 15 Brock Webster
Not used: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Rob Brouwer, 18 Tyler Rowland, 20 Ollie Nott
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: Miles McIvor (USA)
