Arrows Fall in First Meeting with Los Angeles

With files from The Rugby Network

Los Angeles returned from its bye week and picked up right where it left off, spoiling Toronto’s pseudo-home opener with a 43-16 win over the Arrows in New Orleans.

The game was close early on at the Gold Mine on Airline, with LA holding a slim 10-9 lead moments before halftime; Arrows fly-half Tayler Adams was successful in all three of his penalty goal attempts, and went four-for-four from the kicking tee on the day. However, both teams struggled to maintain the ball throughout the first half; Toronto with issues in the lineout while LA was sloppy in the loose.

A yellow card from prop Gaston Cortes near the Arrows’ try line late in the first frame proved to be the turning point, as the visitors scored 21 unanswered points while Toronto played a man short.

The first came just before halftime as LA’s pack shoved the ball across the try line and dotted down. Johnny Ryberg then scored off possession deep in Toronto territory 30 seconds into the second half, and #6 Angus Cottrell scored after an LA maul – an effective weapon all day – put him at the doorstep. Just like that, it was 31-9 LA.

Toronto’s best chance to strike back went begging after nearly 10 minutes played inside LA territory yielded zero points. Back in Arrows territory, #9 Harrison Goddard danced with the sideline for a cheeky weak side scoop-and-score to extend the Los Angeles’ lead. Fly-half Matt Giteau finally missed his first conversion of the game, with the scoreline 36-9 entering the final quarter.

The Arrows eventually crossed the whitewash when wing Manuel Montero scored his team’s first try at 63’ with an impressive long, unimpeded run. LA flanker Harry McNulty iced the victory with a swan-dive try in the final moments of the match, and the successful conversion marked the game’s final score, 43-16.

Toronto enters Week Five of the 2021 season with a home clash against reigning MLR champions Seattle Seawolves (1-2; 6 points) on Saturday, Apr. 17.

Toronto Arrows Stat Leaders

Ball Carries: M. Diana – 14
Carry Metres: M. Montero – 125
Tackles Made: L. Rumball – 18
Offloads: B. LeSage – 4

Los Angeles Stat Leaders

Ball Carries: G. Bryce – 18
Carry Metres: G. Bryce – 136
Tackles Made: H. McNulty – 16
Offloads: C. Thomas, A. Ashe – 2

Toronto Arrows Score Report

Tries: M. Montero (63)
Conversions: T. Adams (64)
Penalty Goals: T. Adams 3 (2, 28, 33)

Los Angeles Score Report

Tries:  C. Thomas (8), A. Ashe (39), J. Ryberg (41), A. Cottrell (45), H. Goddard (61), H. McNulty (75)
Conversions: M. Giteau 4 (9, 40, 42, 46), L. Burton (76)
Penalty Goals: M. Giteau (5)

Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. Los Angeles

1. Cole Keith
2. Andrew Quattrin
3. Gaston Cortes
4. Adrian Wadden
5. Paul Ciulini
6. Tomas de la Vega
7. Lucas Rumball (C)
8. Manuel Diana
9. Ross Braude
10. Tayler Adams
11. Gaston Mieres
12. Guiseppe du Toit
13. Ben LeSage (C)
14. Manuel Montero
15. Joaquin Tuculet
16. Jack McRogers
17. Pat Lynott
18. Tyler Rowland
19. Mike Sheppard
20. Kolby Francis
21. Jason Higgins
22. Will Kelly
23. Pat Parfrey