Seawolves stop Hounds as lightning strikes off second half

The Seattle Seawolves maintained their unbeaten record to start the season with a 27-5 victory over the Chicago Hounds on Sunday, but in a first for Major League Rugby the match was abandoned at halftime due to uncooperative weather. While the sun was shining during the first half, a lightning storm swiftly moved over SeatGeek Stadium and after an initial 25-minute delay the decision was made to pull the plug on the second half entirely.

A scrum penalty gave AJ Alatimu an early chance at posts and the made no mistake. Chicago pushed back but couldn’t breach the Seawolves line, and instead at the other end Riekert Hattingh strode through to score off the side of a completely unguarded ruck.

Chicago’s defense was found suspect again five minutes later. After several phases attacking the middle of the field, Alatimu found Tavite Lopeti on an outside arc through a massive gap to score Seattle’s second try without so much as a finger laid on him.

Seattle looked to be on their way to yet another score when Bryce Campbell picked off a flat pass from JP Smith and sprinted upfield, chipping ahead for Chris Mattina to recover. The Seawolves were forced to concede a penalty and the Hounds too advantage, using their driving maul to put Lindsey Stevens over the line. Luke Carty’s conversion attempted curled wide of the posts.

Alatimu responded with his second penalty of the day after Chicago were caught offside. After a long series of phases the Seawolves were knocking on the door again and slick hands from Peter Malcolm and Duncan Matthews gave Lauina Futi a shot at the corner. The speedy winger ducked under the tackle of Maclean Jones and grounded the ball before being shoved into touch. Two more points when on the board after Alatimu split the uprights from the sideline.

Futi nearly scored the bonus point try before the half but on two occasions the scoring pass was ruled forward and the third he was driven into touch. As the players trotted off the pitch little did they know that would be it for the day. MLR rules state that the result stands if the first half has been completed, so Seattle has to settle for a four-point victory.

Both teams are back in action next Sunday. Chicago stays at home to take on the Houston SaberCats, while Seattle is on the road against the NOLA Gold.

SCORING

CHICAGO 5
Tries (1) – L. Stevens (21′)
Cons (0) – L. Carty 0/1

SEATTLE 27
Tries (3) – R. Hattingh (11′), T. Lopeti (16′), L. Futi (31′)
Cons (3) – A. Alatimu 3/3 (12′, 17′, 32′)
Pens (2) – A. Alatimu 2/2 (3′, 24′)

TEAMS

CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 LaRome White, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Duke Krishnan, 5 Luke White, 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Michael Baska, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Mark O’Keeffe, 15 Chris Mattina

Not used: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Timmy Ohlwein, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Mike Matarazzo, 20 John Cullen, 21 Dacoda Worth, 22 Sean Yacoubian, 23 JP Eloff

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Ben Landry (20 Ben Mitchell 26′-32′), 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Charles Elton, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Lauina Futi, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Duncan Matthews

Not used: 16 James Malcolm, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Taylor Krumrei, 21 Karl Keane, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 David Busby

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Assistants: Shawn Bastic (USA) & David Zaccaria (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)