Round 10 featured some of Major League Rugby’s most exciting contests of the season. Glendale Raptors and NOLA Gold dueled in a match that saw not one but two lead changes in the final minutes. Seattle also attempted a comeback at home, but even with the benefit of a man advantage, ultimately fell short. Toronto Arrows set a scoring record by dropping 64, and they did it on the road. And Rugby United New York held on in a gritty contest against Austin Elite Rugby, leaving Round 10 with the best record (though not the most points).

ChaosTown USA

I hope everyone watched the Glendale vs NOLA match from the comfort of a local bar with prompt drink service. Because if you looked away from the broadcast for even a minute you probably missed something stunning.

It was non-stop fireworks from the opening kick. Glendale tore the cover off the ball to start, running up a quick 17-0 lead. Center Robbie Petzer was functioning like a quasi-fly half, executing clever distributions and enabling the early onslaught. NOLA answered, coming all the way back and going into the locker room with a 21-17 lead at halftime.

That was only an appetizer for the second half main course. Luke White scored to open the half and then Malon Al-Jiboori came off the bench and carried a handful of NOLA defenders over the try line to extend the Raptors’ lead.

Then the momentum shifted back to NOLA, who dotted down at 73 minutes and then 78 minutes to dramatically reclaim the lead. But the drama was not yet finished. In the ensuing kickoff, Glendale brought the defensive pressure that turned over the Gold, who were trying to run out the clock.

The chaos reached its peak on what would turn out to be the last drive of the game. Down by two, Glendale drew a penalty in the middle of NOLA’s half of the field. It was a makeable kick, but in his haste, Chad Gough chose to quick tap. His unsuspecting teammates barely managed to retain the ball as the happy NOLA defenders pursued.

But in the end, they would retain it, drawing another penalty. It was an even easier kick, and Shaun Davies quickly secured the ball, ensuring no repeat of the hasty quick tap. Glendale converted the penalty goal and the win.

For NOLA, the plethora of bonus points leaves them at the top of the table despite having a worse record than Rugby United New York. For Glendale, the win affirms that they are still a valid contender for the playoffs this year.

Best in the West

San Diego Legion complete the season sweep of their west coast counterparts, stopping Seattle 28-22. It was an exciting, if not an exactly fluid fixture. Both sides struggled with their discipline. It was a busy day for the referee, who had his whistle out every few plays.

No penalty was as dramatic, of course, as the red card. San Diego went down a man permanently near the end of the first half. They also sent two men to the bin with yellow, and Seattle contributed one of their own.

Through it all, San Diego played courageously and with determination. They avenged the surprising 2018 Round 1 loss by being the first team to topple Seattle at home since Glendale in Round 2 of last year.

In the end, Seattle’s own ill-discipline and a few costly errors stalled out the comeback. After allowing a flukish try off a strip of Phil Mack, Seattle climbed back into a six-point deficit. A converted try would have won it. But knock-ons, a poorly timed off-the-feet penalty in an offensive ruck, turning the ball over in their maul, and losing it in their lineout effectively ended their chances.

New Kids on the Block Had a Bunch of Hits

It was a good week to be an expansion team. Toronto completed their great road odyssey, finishing off their away schedule for the season. They return home 4-4 and they do it in style, hanging 61 points on the Utah Warriors in Utah. RUNY fought their way through Austin by way of San Antonio trap game. As much as the Arrows’ match was a display of offense, this one was a defensive battle that pushed the Roosters to the very end. Still, they won. And at 7-1 they have the best record in MLR with six of their remaining eight games at home.

With both teams facing predominantly home stretches to finish out, both could very well find themselves in the knockout rounds. New York is in a battle with NOLA for the top spot, but with half the season remaining, nothing is assured. Toronto, who has never really excelled in the standings thus far, is perhaps better positioned than people realize. A team that was heavily taxed by the Americas Rugby Championship, they’ve only ever been close to full strength three times. A narrow loss to NOLA in Round 1, a narrow loss to RUNY in Round 8, and a record-setting win over Utah in Round 10. All on the road. Those are some pretty decent chops. Let’s see what they can do at home.

Round 10 Results

Austin 11 – New York 19

Utah 31 – Toronto 64

Glendale 34 – NOLA 33

Seattle 22 – San Diego 28

Standings