Arrows Withstand Late Warriors Surge to Claim Victory in Utah

News Mar-21-2022

Arrows Withstand Late Warriors Surge to Claim Victory in Utah

The Toronto Arrows quelled a late-match comeback bid to earn a 27-24 road win over the Utah Warriors on Saturday afternoon. Overcoming swirling winds that added unpredictability in the kicking game, it was a 20-point effort in the second half that allowed the visiting Arrows to leave Zions Bank Stadium with a bonus-point victory.

Ronan Foley, Brock Webster, Dennon Robinson-Bartlett and Jack McRogers scored tries for the Arrows, though the match will likely be best remembered for Toronto’s ferocious defensive efforts in the game’s final minutes.

The home side were quick to apply pressure right off the opening kick, winning an early penalty and kicking for territory for an attacking lineout deep in Toronto territory. However, James O’Neill nipped the drive in the bud with a hard-nosed breakdown steal a few metres from the goal line to end the threat.

A late addition to the starting lineup after Matt Hood picked up an injury during warmups, debutant Robinson-Bartlett kicked off Toronto’s response, with the speedy Kiwi slicing through Utah’s defensive line. Later in the drive, midfield partner Ueta Tufuga romped his way to the whitewash, and while he was repelled, Warriors No. 8 Jurie van Vuuren left his feet in his clear out and was summarily issued a yellow card.

Taking advantage of their short-term numerical superiority, the Arrows opened the scoring through Foley, who ran in untouched off the heels of a well-worked set piece. Sam Malcolm‘s conversion, a short-range chip shot, brought his all-time points tally to 250; the Kiwi is the first Arrow to reach the milestone.

The Warriors issued a double-barreled response to regain the lead. Cliven Loubser struck a mid-range penalty goal to pull Utah within four, and then minutes later Mike Te’o put the home side ahead. The scoring play started with Lance Williams slamming into Malcolm as the fly-half was attempting a pass at midfield, with the ball ending up in a charging Mika Kruse’s hands. Te’o was on-hand to receive the quick pass, and the reigning MLR Player of the Year raced under the posts for a seven-pointer. The score would remain 10-7 heading into the interval.

With the wind now at their backs, the Arrows wasted little time asserting themselves in the second frame. Three minutes after the restart and well into Utah territory, Isaac Salmon bulldozed off a ruck and then deftly issued a pop pass to a screaming Webster along the touchline, sending the winger in for his second try in as many matches. Malcolm’s conversion attempt was stymied by the upright.

Minutes later, Robinson-Bartlett scored the Arrows’ third try of the afternoon. The centre, looking dangerous all match, spotted a hole and broke a tackle to find a clear route to the in-goal area. Once again, Malcolm’s kick was cruelly stopped by the post.

Utah returned to deep inside the Arrows’ 22 and appeared to have found a response through Olive Kilifi, though the drive ended with the Warriors prop dinged for playing the ball after he was tackled.

Marching right back down the pitch, try-scorer Webster now turned provider; the Canadian international sped down the wing and offloaded into the awaiting arms of McRogers for the try, marking the substitute’s second straight match with a tally. Will Kelly, who had just stepped onto the pitch, split the uprights from the touchline to add the extras while Malcolm received treatment.

Following attention from medical staff, Malcolm resumed kicking duties and duly booted a long-range penalty to bring Toronto’s lead to 27-10.

Entering the final 10 minutes of the match, Loubser kicked off Utah’s late surge by dotting down untouched following a 45-metre linebreak. The fullback converted his own try to reduce the deficit to 10 points.

Moments after the restart, the Arrows were once again victims of a searing Warriors run, with substitute Connor Burns racing down the right touchline for a long-distance try. Loubser’s ensuing kick made it a three-point game.

Riding a wave of momentum, Utah marched right back inside Toronto’s 22, winning a late penalty in front of the posts but deciding for a scrum in a bid to complete the comeback. After several phases deep in Arrows territory where the visitors withstood wave after wave of Warriors attacks, the defenders forced a knock-on with the clock in the red to bring the thrilling match to its conclusion.

Toronto (3-3; 15 points) enters Week 8 of the season with an away clash against Rugby New York (5-1; 24 points) on Sunday, March 27. The Eastern Conference meeting will be played at JFK Stadium in Hoboken, NJ, and will kick off at 3 p.m. ET.

Toronto Arrows Stat Leaders:

Ball Carries: Ueta Tufuga – 10
Carry Metres: Dennon Robinson-Bartlett – 116
Tackles Made: Ronan Foley – 22
Offloads: Four Players – 1

Utah Warriors Stat Leaders:

Ball Carries: Cliven Loubser, Jurie van Vuuren – 11
Carry Metres: Cliven Loubser – 158
Tackles Made: Jamie Lane, Calvin Whiting – 14
Offloads: Mike Te’o – 2

Toronto Arrows Score Report:

Tries: Ronan Foley (12), Brock Webster (43), Dennon Robinson-Bartlett (50), Jack McRogers (64)
Conversions: Sam Malcolm (13), Will Kelly (65)
Penalty Goals: Sam Malcolm (68)

Utah Warriors Score Report:

Tries: Mike Te’o (24*), Cliven Loubser (72), Connor Burns (74)
Conversions: Cliven Loubser 2 (73, 75)
Penalty Goals: Cliven Loubser (23)
* = seven-point try