Things were good this week for coastal states. The Lonestar ruggers had their best round of the year, with a win and the narrowest of losses to the equally coastal NOLA Gold. And with the Atlantic Ocean itself in the background, Rugby United New York carved up the Glendale Raptors.

It was a short week, but an entertaining one. The results being what they were, it sets the table for what is looking like a tasty Round 10.

Texan Spring

Both the Houston SaberCats and Austin Elite Rugby put in strong shifts this weekend. As we approach the midpoint of the season, it may be just the thing they needed to salvage the second half.

The SaberCats hosted the Utah Warriors, but they did so without two of their best players. Josua Vici and Osea Kolinisau remain sidelined pursuant to the double red cards they received in Round 8. Having not won since the season opener, things looked bleak.

But it is always darkest before the dawn, and so it was in Round 9. In a game that looked like a throwback to 2018, the ‘Cats edged the visitors. As with the spectacle of 2018, it was an error-prone, exciting, chaotic battle between two sides desperate for a win.

The difference makers were Houston’s advantage in the set piece and in the play of stand out fly half Sam Windsor. Utah probably was the better side in open play, but their inability to consistently retain their own lineouts and the pressure that Windsor kept them under ultimately won the day. Houston wins its second game, something it was unable to do in 2018.

Austin, too, had a successful outing. Though the final score success would elude them, they came so very close. The Elite were beating the league-leading NOLA Gold in Marrero with only minutes left. At one point, the Elite trailed 28-12. They engineered an unlikely comeback, grabbing the lead on a try at 68′. It was a moving effort, and Elite fans no doubt enjoyed seeing what the offense led by Rodrigo Silva and Mikael Romera can accomplish.

Alas, their lead would not endure. On the final play of the match, NOLA cut through the Austin defense that had been withstanding intense pressure. After a series of offloads, Michael Baska ran it in for the game winner.

One got the sense that NOLA never took this contest quite seriously. Both Cam Dolan and Tristan Blewett did not play. NOLA’s enthusiasm for the tackle seemed on the low side. All understandable, if not ideal when the first place team plays the last place team. Nevertheless, NOLA did enough to ensure they kept their spot on top of the standings and Austin did more than enough to show that they’re still a dangerous team.

Rulers of the Roost

The Roosters proved to be the better birds in Sunday’s matinee, outplaying the Raptors in their second home game of the season. The scoring started early, with Michael St Claire starting in place of injured Will Leonard. St Claire cut his way through the middle of the Raptor defense and barrel rolled his way to a try to start the scoring. Dylan Taikato-Simpson promptly took it back, scoring by way of counter-attack. But that was the last time the match was really competitive.

RUNY would add four more tries for the bonus point win. Importantly, Glendale only managed three. They left Coney Island without a bonus point.

New York looked broadly impressive. Their attack was as effortless as it was dangerous. The forwards continued a season-long improvement, taking advantage of Glendale’s scrum problems. RUNY’s lineout and maul have been a weapon all year but are especially dangerous with the Butcher, Dylan Fawsitt, back from the Eagles. Their defense was by no means flawless, but it was generally effective at slowing a full-strength Raptor side. Ben Foden’s stop of the bull-charging Hanco Germishuys was emblematic.

The Raptors, on the other hand, had a down weekend. Their handling errors have been worse on the road, and Sunday was no different. But with their key pieces back, Glendale fans will be expecting better.

Round 9 Results

Houston 29 – Utah 27

NOLA 35 – Austin 31

New York 31 – Glendale 19

Standings