Ruttan Scores Twice as Arrows Stymied by Houston

News Jun-5-2023

Ruttan Scores Twice as Arrows Stymied by Houston

The Arrows found their groove in the second half of Saturday evening’s clash with the SaberCats, but were unable to overcome a hot start from the visitors, falling 48-26 to the Western Conference side at York Lions Stadium.

Owain Ruttan scored two tallies as part of Toronto’s three-try second frame, helping the hosts secure the try bonus point.

Ramon Ayarza and Jack McRogers also crossed the whitewash for the Arrows, with Peter Nelson and Shane O’Leary chipping in two points apiece from the tee.

Following an early double from SaberCats centre Louritz van der Schyff, the Arrows responded with a try off a driving maul that was muscled across by Ayarza prior to the first-half water break.

The second quarter saw Houston assert itself, with Wynand Grassmann, Drew Wild and Christian Dyer each getting on the scoresheet to put the visitors ahead 31-5 at the interval.

The second half began much like the first, with the SaberCats extending their lead through a Joe Taufete’e try shortly after the restart.

Momentum began to shift to Toronto’s favour in the 51st minute, when Ruttan bullied the ball over from close range, marking the Cobourg, Ont. native’s first Major League Rugby try.

The substitute would have his second try just 13 minutes later. Following a Houston penalty goal, Ruttan found himself with ball-in-hand just metres from the goalline; the first-year flanker duly drove the ball under the posts for his double.

SaberCats sub Keni Nasoqeqe added one more try for the visitors 10 minutes from full time, but the final say went to the Arrows, with replacement hooker McRogers finishing off a driving maul just ahead of the final whistle for his first points of the season.

Toronto enters Week 17 of the 2023 season with a home clash against San Diego slated for Sunday, June 11. The Arrows hold a 2-1 all-time record against the Legion, who will travel to Canada for the first time since the 2019 season.

The cross-conference tilt at York Lions Stadium will begin at 4 p.m. ET. Tickets are available for purchase via AXS, with single game seats starting as low as $20.

Toronto Arrows Stat Leaders:

Ball Carries: Tautalatasi Tasi – 14
Carry Metres: Tautalatasi Tasi – 122
Defenders Beaten: Ross Braude, Shane O’Leary – 4
Tackles Made: Owain Ruttan, Tautalatasi Tasi – 11
Offloads: Liam Bowman – 2
Attacking Breakdown Arrivals: Travis Larsen – 26
Defending Breakdown Arrivals: Shay Kerry – 7

Houston SaberCats Stat Leaders:

Ball Carries: Louritz van der Schyff – 10
Carry Metres: Louritz van der Schyff – 81
Defenders Beaten: Drew Wild – 5
Tackles Made: Emmanuel Albert – 16
Offloads: Three Players – 2
Attacking Breakdown Arrivals: Emmanuel Albert, Wynand Grassmann– 15
Defending Breakdown Arrivals: Louritz van der Schyff – 8

Toronto Arrows Score Report:

Tries: Ramon Ayarza (15′), Owain Ruttan 2 (51′, 64’*), Jack McRogers (79′)
Conversions: Shane O’Leary (52′), Peter Nelson (79′)
* = seven-point try

Houston SaberCats Score Report:

Tries: Louritz van der Schyff 2 (4′, 7′), Wynand Grassmann (25′), Drew Wild (27′), Christian Dyer (36′), Joe Taufete’e (46′), Keni Nasoqeqe (70’*)
Conversions: Robbie Povey 4 (5′, 8′, 25′, 47′)
Penalty Goals: Robbie Povey (59′)
* = seven-point try