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A Mack Mason penalty goal with time expired gave the Austin Gilgronis a 17-15 win over Rugby ATL at Bold Stadium on Saturday evening. The result is an historic occasion for one of Major League Rugby’s founding members, the first time they have won three matches consecutively.
It was an even contest in the early going, and the stalemate held until just before the hydration break. ATL did well to defend Austin’s initial drive from an attacking lineout, but a second effort put Isaac Ross over for a try in his Major League Rugby debut.
The Ratlers were creating opportunities with Mark O’Keeffe breaking through on two occasions, though mistakes at key moments saw the attacks falling short. A score finally came through Marko Janse van Rensburg. When ATL’s maul was stopped, the hooker peeled off the back and bowled straight over the top of Pele Cowley to ground the ball. Robbie Petzer’s conversion attempt was no good to leave the score 7-5 at the intermission.
ATL took the lead near the hour mark. After working their way into scoring position, O’Keeffe would cross on a flat pass from Rowan Gouws that found the outside center unmarked. Petzer was on target this time to make it a five-point game.
Austin’s second row injury curse continued when Ross dropped with what looked like a twisted ankle. Next to go was Will Magie who was forced off after taking a knock to the head.
Their fortunes flipped just a couple minutes later. Conner Mooneyham’s high ball was misjudged by Bautista Ezcurra, and the bounce went straight to the fullback who sprinted clear for a stunning try. Mason converted Mooneyham’s magic to give Austin a two-point lead.
A dramatic ending saw two lead changes in the final two minutes. Petzer landed a long-range penalty that looked set to give ATL the win. Mason tried a snap drop-goal that was charged down by Connor Cook, but he would get another chance off the tee after an offside penalty. With the clock in the red the crowd went quiet. The ball split the uprights and the players mobbed Mason to the delight of the Austin faithful.
Here it is! Mack Mason, with ice in his veins, splits the uprights and gives @Gilgronis their third consecutive win at the death 🍾@usmlr @RugbyATL #MLR2021 pic.twitter.com/WgNkgUfhHF
— The Rugby Network (@therugbynetwork) April 18, 2021
It’s a home game for ATL next Saturday when they welcome East Conference rivals NOLA to The Snake Pit. Austin have an extra day to prepare for their home game against Seattle on Sunday.
SCORING
AUSTIN 17
Tries – I. Ross (19’), C. Mooneyham (74’)
Cons – M. Mason 2/2 (20’, 75’)
Pens – M. Mason 1/1 (80’)
ATL 15
Tries – M. Janse van Rensburg (35’), M. O’Keeffe (56’)
Cons – R. Petzer 1/2 (57’)
Pens – R. Petzer 1/2 (78’)
TEAMS
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh (17 Jake Turnbull 71’), 2 Robbie Coetzee (16 Mason Koch 65′), 3 Mason Pedersen (18 LaRome White 48’), 4 Isaac Ross (19 Cam Dodson 65’), 5 Michael de Waal, 6 Dom Bailey (20 Moe Abdelmonem 75′), 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Dominic Akina, 9 Pele Cowley (21 Marcelo Torrealba 75′), 10 Mack Mason, 11 Conner Mooneyham, 12 Kurt Morath (22 Ned Hodson 65′), 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Rodrick Waters, 15 Will Magie (23 Cole Davis 71’)
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Jonas Petrakopoulos 65′), 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg (16 Alex Maughan 65′), 3 Wikus Groenewald (18 Manasa Saulo 65′), 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Conor Keys (19 Johan Momsen 50’), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Connor Cook, 8 Ross Deacon (20 Jason Damm 50’), 9 Rowan Gouws (21 Ryan Rees 65′), 10 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Rory van Vugt (capt.), 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Not used: 22 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 23 Martini Talapusi
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
Assistants: Joey Swatzell (USA) & Butch Neuenschwander (USA)
