New York takes decisive victory over Toronto

Rugby New York took a significant step towards clinching a playoff spot with a decisive 41-17 victory over the Toronto Arrows. A flurry of tries in the first half proved too much for the visitors to overcome, leaving the postseason hopes for the Canadian side in tatters.

The Arrows spurned a shot a goal just a minute into the game, instead opting for the lineout. New York stuffed the drive, and after clearing to midfield a shuddering tackle from Kalolo Tuiloma on Mike Sheppard turned over possession. A penalty yielded an attacking lineout and Tuiloma peeled off the back to score the first try.

Two more tries followed in rapid succession. The ball was turned over at halfway and Toronto’s defense was nowhere to be found as Ed Fidow walked into the corner. Jack Heighton then attacked the short side, again freeing Fidow before taking a return pass in and suddenly it was 17-nil to the visitors.

Toronto finally got on the board just after the hydration break. New York engaged early at a scrum and Ronan Foley took the quick tap. He broke two half-hearted tackle attempts and found Cole Brown in support to score a try on debut. Sam Malcolm’s conversion gave the Arrows some life.

Within two minutes New York had a response. Again the Arrows line integrity failed as Kara Pryor cut back inside, dishing to Jason Emery down the sideline. Fidow was the there to take the scoring pass, barreling over the last defender to score his second, with Heighton’s conversion making it 24-7 at halftime.

It was the visitors who looked sluggish to start the second half. Foley broke through again, this time offloading to Lolani Faleiva for a try under the posts. Four minutes later the Arrows were back in scoring position and Malcolm chipped over a penalty to make it a one-score game.

The momentum shifted back to the visitors with a turnover. New York kicked to the corner and Dylan Fawsitt was driven over for try number five. The sixth was just four minute away. Emery went through the middle, with Connor Buckley providing the link for Brendon O’Connor to finish out wide.

With the clock ticking down there was time for one last score. Fa’asiu Fuatai was the man to touch down, scything through a porous Arrows defense.

It’s a short turnaround for Toronto who host the Dallas Jackals on Saturday. New York are back in action on Sunday with a home game against the Seattle Seawolves.

 

SCORING

TORONTO 17
Tries – C. Brown (21′), L. Faleiva (48′)
Cons – S. Malcolm 1/1 (22′), No kick (48′)
Pens – S. Malcolm 1/1 (52′)

NEW YORK 41
Tries – K. Tuiloma (7′), E. Fidow 2 (11′, 23′), J. Heighton (18′), D. Fawsitt (60′), B. O’Connor (64′), F. Fuatai (79′)
Cons – J. Heighton 2/6 (12′, 24′), S. Windsor 1/1 (80′)

 

TEAMS

TORONTO ARROWS
1 Lolani Faleiva (17 Cole Keith 48′), 2 Andrew Quattrin (16 Jack McRogers 48′), 3 Tyler Rowland (18 Isaac Salmon 47′), 4 Mike Sheppard (capt.), 5 Paul Ciulini (19 Adrian Wadden 60′), 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Ronan Foley (20 Siaki Vikilani 69′), 9 Cole Brown (21 Sam Reimer 70′), 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Mitch Richardson (12 Guiseppe du Toit 77′), 12 Guiseppe du Toit (23 Johnny Sheridan HT), 13 Ueta Tufuga (22 Will Kelly 57′), 14 Matthew Hood, 15 Gastón Mieres

RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Chance Wenglewski (16 Nick Mayhew 55′), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (17 Peter Reyes 79′), 3 Kalolo Tuiloma (18 Sakaria Taulafo 70′), 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Charlie Hewitt (20 Joe Basser 62′), 6 Will Tucker, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Kara Pryor (21 Antonio Kiri Kiri 55′), 9 Andy Ellis (22 Connor Buckley 47′), 10 Jack Heighton, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Jason Emery, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe (23 Quinn Ngawati 62′), 15 Sam Windsor

Not used: 19 Nick Civetta

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
Assistants: Michael Jones (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)