Major League Rugby’s Round 5 Review

Joe Harvey gives us an update on the action across the pond as the MLR enters its sixth week

Houston SaberCats @ NOLA Gold

Following their one-week sabbatical the Houston SaberCats returned to competition. They became just the second ever visitors to the NOLA Gold’s Eagle Athletic Facility. The Gold were mightily disappointed after their first ever home game resulted in a narrow defeat to the Seattle Seawolves.

It was the rested Houston who started the brightest. Aussie Sam Windsor starting off his game with a try and a conversion within the opening five minutes.

NOLA took nearly twenty minutes to spring into life themselves, Zach Stryffeler scoring his sides opening try and Kiwi Taylor Howden coverting the score.

Sam Windsor scored a penalty in the thirt-second minute to give his side the lead. This lead didn’t last too long though as NOLA eventually scored a penalty try following a period of dominance.

 The Gold took just another four minutes to score a try. This time Fijian Ratu Pecili scythed through the SaberCats defence to add another try to his collection and give Taylor Howden another two points from the tee.

Just as the clock went red, former London Irish scrum-half, Connor Murphy, darted through to score a try for the SaberCats. Sam Windsor carried on his superb performance to convert the try and bring the half to a close.

Unfortunately, the second half wasn’t as free-flowing as the first. It took thirty-three minutes for any points to be scored. Howden scoring off the tee for a penalty.

A mere three minutes later Sam Windsor notched up his fifteenth points of the afternoon by nailing a penalty. There were no further points scored in the game with the score line reading 24-20 in favour of NOLA.

Windsor’s performance rightfully resulted with him being in the MLR team of the week. However, the NOLA win resulted in them clawing their way up to third place in the league.

Utah Warriors @ Seattle Seawolves

Seattle played yet again in front of a sold-out crowd at the Starfire Stadium. Their visitors this week being the gradually improving Utah Warriors who came all the way from Salt Lake City.

It was the visitors who started the scoring early on. Tongan hooker Lote Tuipulotu went over the line, unfortunately for Utah, Kurt Morath was unable to convert the score. Morath did eventually get off the mark in the ninth minute with a penalty.

Then came a period of Seawolves dominance. Fijian flyer William Rasileka started the fight back with a try in the eleventh minute, giving Peter Smith a chance to open his account for the afternoon with a conversion.

Next it was Mathew Turners turn to score a try. The former England sevens star adding another try to his MLR tally this season. Smith converted Turners score to add another two points to his name.

Seattle’s dominance was interrupted briefly by Utah’s Tuipulotu,who scored his second try of the game and just like before, Morath failed to convert his countryman’s try.

At the thirty-minute mark, Seattle scored a flurry of points. Starting with a Smith penalty, then a Vili Toluta’u try and then Smith kicking another two points.

Warriors’ Kurt Morath finally nailed a conversion after winger Tonata Lauti scored a try at the thirty-sixth minute mark.

However, it was Seattle who had the final say of the first half. Canadian winger Brock Staller calmly scored a penalty for the Seawolves as half-time drew near. The half ended 27-20 in favour of the home side.

The second half took a bit longer to reach the excitement of the first. Player/coach Phil Mack eventually got the reward of a try following another masterful performance from the Canadian captain. His compatriot Staller converted the try.

A matter of minutes later Seattle were over the line yet again. This time it was the Seattle hooker’s turn to score his second. Toluta’u scored the Seattle try and Staller continued his impressive kicking form to convert his teammates try.

Seattle didn’t finish the game on the front foot. Utah began their comeback through New Zealander Ara Elkington, staying true to his form in this game, Morath didn’t convert the score. In the seventy-eighth minute Paki Afu broke through to give his side further hope of victory. Kurt Morath was successful with his conversion.

The Warriors were unable to fight back anymore, leaving the score at 41-32 in Seattle’s favour.This result meant that Seattle stayed in second place as Utah moved to fifth.