MLR WEEK 5 WRAP-UP

TORONTO ARROWS 44 – 27 HOUSTON SABERCATS
The Toronto Arrows found their way back into the win column as they went on the road to defeat the Houston SaberCats 44-27 on Friday evening.

Toronto (2-2), scored five total tries while also benefiting from a 19-point performance from fly-half Sam Malcolm to hand Houston (1-2) their second consecutive loss. Houston fly-half Sam Windsor lead his team in scoring with 12 points.

The win and the bonus point places the Arrows in fourth place in the league tables with 12 total points while the SaberCats’ six total points leaves them in eighth place.

The SaberCats will look to get back on track next week when they host Rugby United New York (2-1) while the Arrows will try to start a winning streak next week when they travel to take on the Glendale Raptors (1-2-1).

SAN DIEGO LEGION 45 – 17 AUSTIN ELITE RUGBY
The San Diego Legion extended their winning streak to four games by knocking off Austin Elite Rugby 45-17 on Friday night in Texas.

After dropping their first contest of the season to Rugby United New York, the Legion (4-1) moved into first place in the league tables by handing Austin (0-5) their fifth-straight loss.

After four rather close matches, San Diego exploded for six tries, six conversions and a penalty goal on Friday evening. Austin benefited from three tries, but ultimately fell one try short of the bonus point.

While NOLA Gold has a game in hand over the Legion, San Diego’s monster performance leaves them with 18 points through five games, one more point than the Gold, and pushed them to the top of the tables for the first time this season. Austin remains in ninth place.

Both the Legion and Austin Elite will enjoy a bye in Week 6.

GLENDALE RAPTORS 26 – 26 UTAH WARRIORS
The Glendale Raptors and Utah Warriors recorded Major League Rugby’s first-ever draw on Saturday evening after 80-plus minutes of hard-fought rugby left both teams with 26 points.

After jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the first half, the Warriors (1-1-1) were unable to hold off a surging Glendale (1-2-1) team who came into the second half with their foot on the gas. The Raptors used two tries by John Ryberg and a 100-meter try by Chad Gough to tie the match at 26 with around 10 minutes to play.

The draw leaves the Warriors in seventh place with six points on the season while the fifth place Raptors have 10 points through four matches and sit just two points out of a playoff spot.

The Raptors will welcome the Toronto Arrows (2-2) to Infinity Park for their home opener next weekend while the Warriors will welcome the NOLA Gold (3-1) to town.

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES 33 – 21 RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
Read the full coverage of Seattle’s win over New York here.

READ ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE

Written by: Colton Strickler, MLR Correspondent. Photo: Norma Salinas.