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The Seawolves took bragging rights over the Ironworkers on Saturday night in a rematch of the 2022 Championship Final. New York were second-best in a physical contest on this occasion, the defending champions coming up short to Seattle by a final score of 25-11 at a sold-out Starfire Stadium.
Jordan Chait got the home side on the board first with a three-pointer after as many minutes has expired. A second went over the bar after Martin Iosefo won a breakdown penalty, but Sam Windsor had an instant reply to start the visitors’ account.
A third strike from Chait made it 9-3 to the Seawolves, and then injury struck New York. Conor McManus went off holding his thigh, replaced at scrumhalf by Connor Buckley.
Seattle’s first try-scoring opportunity ended just short when Ed Fidow sent Duncan Matthews flying into touch. At the other end it was Fidow breaking down the left side and connecting with Andrew Coe, but the Canadian was clattered over the sideline by Tavite Lopeti.
Injury hit the home side when Ronan Foley trudged off with his arm wrapped in his shirt. After some more bruising action, Windsor landed a penalty go make it 9-6 to Seattle at the half.
Early in the second half Fidow went on the charge again. He was met just ahead of the line and when he reached out to ground the ball it slipped from his grasp. Soon after Chait lined up a longer-range kick and it sailed through the uprights for another three points.
Fidow would not be denied again. New York flung the ball wide where Windsor was lurking. He found the big Samoan winger at full pace to his inside and Fidow did the rest, showing a clean pair of heels to the defense to score the game’s first try. Windsor’s conversion attempt was pushed wide right to leave the home side with a slender lead.
The Seawolves looked to have struck back immediately through the driving maul, but a TMO review revealed an obstruction and the score was scrubbed out. On the other side of the hydration break Coe was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on that disrupted a Seawolves attack. Chait duly slotted his fifth kick of the evening to make it a four-point game.
A sixth successful strike from Chait stretched the lead and the Seawolves saved the best for last. Ben Landry’s break freed Dan Kriel down the right side. The ball was recycled and Chait stabbed a grubber through for Matthews to slide onto for a seven point score under the sticks.
Seattle will have a short turnaround for their home game against Rugby ATL next Friday. New York will break in their new turf at Memorial Field against the Toronto Arrows on Sunday.
SCORING
SEATTLE 25
Tries (1) – D. Matthews (77′)
Cons (1) – No kick (77′)
Pens (6) – J. Chait 6/6 (3′, 12′, 21′, 46′, 65′, 74′)
NEW YORK 11
Tries (1) – E. Fidow (56′)
Cons (0) – S. Windsor 0/1
Pens (2) – S. Windsor 2/2 (14′, 40′)
YC (1) – A. Coe (64′)
TEAMS
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola (17 Jake Turnbull 77′), 2 Peter Malcolm (16 James Malcolm 55′), 3 Sam Matenga (18 Mason Pedersen 50′), 4 Ben Landry, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Charles Elton (19 Taylor Krumrei 78′), 7 Ronan Foley (20 Nakai Penny 33′), 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith (21 Karl Keane 79′), 10 Jordan Chait, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Tavite Lopeti (22 AJ Alatimu 63′), 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Conner Mooneyham (23 Lauina Futi 63′), 15 Duncan Matthews
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Anthony Parry 67′), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (16 Kaleb Geiger 63′), 3 Nic Mayhew (18 Sam Davies 47′), 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.) (19 Charlie Hewitt 63′), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker (20 Kara Pryor 53′), 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Benjamín Bonasso, 9 Conor McManus (21 Connor Buckley 24′), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Ed Fidow (22 Quinn Ngawati 66′), 12 Jason Emery (23 Fa’asiu Fuatai 51′), 13 Teihorangi Walden, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Jack Heighton
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Assistants: Brad Schwalger (Canada) & Clint Lemkus (Canada)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
