Round 11 featured some expected wins, some near upsets, the first-ever home game for the Toronto Arrows, but most of all, points. The attack was off the chain this week, with an average combined score (meaning average sum of both sides’ scores) of 76.5 points. By far the highest of the season.

Uncharted Territory

With the teams having played between eight and 10 games this season so far, we’ve reached the point where the regular season has caught up to or surpassed last year’s in length. Even factoring in playoffs, no team has ever played more than 10 fixtures in an MLR season. That will change over the next couple of weeks.

As such, we may be starting to see some wear and tear on the rosters. For many of these players, a 16-game season is more than they’ve ever played before. The back half of 2019 will test MLR’s teams like never before. How they handle that stress will be a large contributing factor in how they finish out the season.

Perhaps in connection with the lengthening season, certain elements of gameplay appear to be softening. Most notably, defense. Games are starting to feel more like last year, with big scores and more noticeable momentum shifts. In fact, the average points scored per game has grown from 48.5 in Round 1 to 60.5 in Round 10 to 76.5 in Round 11. With the exception of Round 6, where dual blizzards minimized scoring, the trend has been consistently upwards. See the chart below.

How this all plays out bears watching. With roster fatigue setting in, unexpected results may emerge. Just look at this week. Glendale Raptors have played the most games, at 10. They fell behind by 32 points against the team with one of the worst point differentials in the MLR. Other surprises, bigger surprises, may be in store as fatigue dampens the advantages that became apparent in the first half.

Northern Gold

The NOLA Gold did it again. They’ve had a knack for fighting their way to victory in the waning moments of a fixture. Round 11 was no different. They traveled up to Toronto and spoiled the Arrows’ home opener, scoring a try on the final play of the game to win it.

It was a pretty even contest throughout, with the lead passing back and forth between the teams. Toronto looked a bit nervy at the outset, perhaps from the energy of their first home game. After scoring the match’s first try, a series of Toronto mistakes, including an intercepted pass for a try, put NOLA up 21-7.

But, just as in Round 1, Toronto answered. They clawed back into the game, particularly in the second half, reducing the errors that had given NOLA the initial edge. But mistakes or no, NOLA’s offense is not to be trifled with. And, like they did the first time these teams played, or like they did in Utah Warriors, or against Austin Elite Rugby, or like they nearly did in Glendale with two tries in the final 10 minutes, the Gold did just enough to be on top when the final Round 11 whistle blew.

It was an impressive road win for NOLA, who also record the try bonus point and strengthen their position on top of the table. Toronto opened their home stretch with a loss, which won’t help their mission to make up ground in the standings. Most of their opponents, however, won’t be of NOLA’s quality.

Return to ChaosTown

After last week’s insanity in Glendale, you’d think it would be tough to provide a fitting encore. You’d be wrong. The Houston SaberCats rolled into RugbyTown, which has still never hosted a losing Glendale MLR match, and nearly achieved a stunning upset. With only two wins on the season, few people were expecting the SaberCats to mount much of a challenge against the home Raptors side.

Things were looking mighty surprising, then, when Houston powered their way to a 32-0 lead to start the game. The ‘Cats capitalized on Glendale’s troubled scrum. Two penalty tries (allegedly, as the 9news feed was down for the first 15 minutes) put Houston up 14-0. Then the levee broke and tries were running through every few minutes.

But in the RugbyTown magic, even 0-32 was not out of reach for Glendale. They mounted a furious comeback, led by winger and MVP candidate John Ryberg, who scored a hat trick with his third touch down putting Glendale ahead 45-44. The Raptors would add another, winning 52-44.

While Glendale must feel great about the magnitude of their comeback, concerns remain. Especially the scrum. The San Diego Legion used Glendale’s scrum weakness to work a last-second draw. Houston used it to threaten a shocking victory. If they can’t get it sorted, it’s hard to see them hoisting the championship shield when the dust settles on the 2019 season.

First Half Warriors

Utah Warriors fell to the Seattle Seawolves 36-48, despite leading 29-17 in the second half. Gannon Moore put the team on his back, logging one of the best shifts of the season. Seattle is known to be consistent tacklers, but Moore was beating them like an old carpet.

The Warriors, in general, are doing a good job of getting quick ball from the ruck and pressing their attack. Once they start to build momentum, they are difficult to stop. Especially with the attacking talents of Moore, Tonata Lauti, and company.

Unfortunately, they too often cut off their own momentum. They have struggled in the set piece this season. The lineout burned them this week. Their open play is dangerous but too loose, with unforced errors doing more to stop them than tacklers are doing.

All that said, they are scoring points. Over 30 points two weeks in a row and still losses by significant margins two weeks in a row. In the end, there is only so much an offense can do. If they want to win, what they really need is a defense that can find reasonable success for 80 minutes.

Round 11 Results

Utah 36 – Seattle 48

Glendale 52 – Houston 44

Toronto 31 – NOLA 35

San Diego 45 – Austin 15

Standings