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The Austin Gilgronis recovered from a slow start to defeat the San Diego Legion 35-21 at the Sports Deck on Sunday. It was the tale of two halves, as the AG’s trailed by two scores at halftime only to come roaring back with a dominant second forty that stretched their lead at the top of the Western Conference.
San Diego were dealt an early blow as Ben Grant came off second best in a collision, replaced by Chris Turori. They would stay on task, however, and after several phases on attack Joe Pietersen fired a miss-pass to Matias Freyre who finished in the corner. Pietersen’s conversion rang off the right post and the flags stayed down.
Austin would also lose a man with Christian Ostberg coming off and Casey McDermott Vai into the back row. They would get on the board through a Mack Mason penalty goal 10 minutes later, but the Legion would control the bulk of possession for a significant stretch leading two a pair of three-pointers off the boot of Pietersen.
When the AG’s finally got an opportunity they took it. A penalty set up an attacking lineout and though the drive was stopped short, Mason Pedersen picked from a ruck and went to the short side to touch down from close range. Mason tacked on the extras to make it a one-point game.
There was an instant reply from the Legion. Ma’a Nonu crashed over Mason from a set scrum move, and Rohan O’Regan was there on a hard line for the finish. The flanker was tackled but had the strength to reach out and ground the ball, with Pietersen’s conversion finding its mark.
The Gilgronis looked to have their own score straight away. Isaac Ross won the restart and Mason sliced through a gap. Cam Dodson kept the ball alive and Bryce Campbell went over the line. A TMO review, however, revealed a knock-on from the fingertips of Michael de Waal in the build-up and the score stood at 18-10 to the home side after 40 minutes.
Mason closed the gap with a penalty goal early in the second half. The AG’s then drew the scores level when Brache tore up the middle, and connecting passes from Maclean Jones and Campbell put Hugh Roach free down the right sideline.
Roach turned from hero to villain with a no-arms tackle on Pietersen, that was duly punished by another three points from the San Diego flyhalf. It was Roach again in the headlines moments later, this time for the right reason as he crashed over for his second try. Chris Mattina’s break down the left side sparked the move with Mason’s conversion giving Austin a four-point lead.
The visitors were now in control and Mason’s third penalty goal put them further ahead. There was no escape for the Legion, with relentless pressure resulting in a try for Mattina. Mason’s final act made it a seven-pointer and the clock soon rolled over full-time.
Both teams are on the road next Saturday. San Diego head north to face the Seattle Seawolves, while Austin make the short trip to Texan neighbors Dallas.
SCORING
SAN DIEGO 21
Tries – M. Freyre (5′), R. O’Regan (36′)
Cons – J. Pietersen 1/2 (37′)
Pens – J. Pietersen 3/3 (20′, 26′, 59′)
AUSTIN 35
Tries – M. Pedersen (33′), H. Roach 2 (53′, 61′), C. Mattina (78′)
Cons – M. Mason 3/4 (34′, 62′, 79′)
Pens – M. Mason 3/3 (15′, 48′, 68′)
TEAMS
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia (17 Joe Walsh 54′), 2 Peter Malcolm (16 Pat Lynott 68′), 3 Paddy Ryan (18 Chris Baumann 46′), 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Ben Grant (19 Chris Turori 4′), 6 Rohan O’Regan, 7 Michael Smith, 8 Tevita Tameilau (20 Dan Pryor 59′), 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Tomas Aoake, 12 Ma’a Nonu (capt.) (23 Ryan Matyas 62′), 13 Tiaan Loots, 14 Bjorn Basson, 15 Matías Freyre
Not used: 21 Nico Gilli, 22 Josh Thiel
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Jake Turnbull HT), 2 Hugh Roach (16 Mason Koch 79′), 3 Mason Pedersen (18 LaRome White 79′), 4 Cam Dodson, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Christian Ostberg (20 Casey McDermott Vai 11′ {19 Sebastian de Chaves 56′}), 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens (21 Pele Cowley 59′), 10 Mack Mason (22 Will Magie 79′), 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.) (23 Dom Akina 68′), 13 Marcel Brache, 14 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 15 Chris Mattina
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Alexis Alfaro (USA)
TMO: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
