Austin Gilgronis win big against the Toronto Arrows at BOLD Stadium

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Austin Elite fullback Zinzan Elan-Puttick puts the ball into play against the Houston SaberCats

In last weekend’s MLR matches, the Austin Gilgronis were in control for most of their Week 12 match. A key step for the host, as they invited Canadian franchise the Toronto Arrows over to their Bold Stadium base, in Del Valle.

Austin Gilgronis dominate the Toronto Arrows in 47-21 win

The Toronto Arrows took an early lead in the eighth minute with a penalty goal. However, when they conceded a try in the 14-minute, Toronto was never able to regain the lead. From there, it was mostly all Austin who were by far the better team last Saturday.

Three keys to the game

1: Austin Gilgronis offence fantastic in both halves

The better team in both halves, Austin started this fantastic offensive effort in the 14-minute when Zinzan Elan-Puttick (see the main photo) scored the first try of the game. momentum was in their favour, with another try in the 18-minute that gave Austin the 12-3 lead early on.

Unfortunately for the Arrows, this momentum was short-lived. In the final minutes of play in the opening half, Dom Akina scored a try. This was a big blow for the Arrows but in fairness, they were the second-best in most departments.

This became even more apparent in the second half. Just like in the first half, the Arrows got an early penalty goal but Toronto would not get any closer in the second half against Austin. Three tries in the second half extended the host’s lead. Kyle Breytenbach and a pair to Dom Akina gave Austin the 40-11 lead with only 16 minutes left in the game.

To Toronto’s credit, they fought back, but it was too little, too late. Toronto scored two of the last three tries in the game, resulting in a 47-21 win for Austin.

2: Gilgronis running game was more than effective against Toronto Arrows

There were three notable times where Austin used their speed to score tries in the game. The most important one might have been the first one. Austin only had a four-point lead at the time. However, USA Rugby player Dominic Akina was able to slice through the Arrows’ defence and get a very late try in the first half. This was probably the most important try in the game as the Arrows just scored a try in the 35-minute.

Then in the second half, Akina continued to torment the Arrows defence in the 61-minute. He got a try by getting past the Arrows defence and again used his speed to score his second try of the game. Maybe there should have been a tighter defence for both of those tries. The credit though must go to Akina. who used his speed to score two tries for Austin. The other example is LaRome White, who scored with his speed in the 64-minute.

3: Arrows made far too many mistakes against the Austin Gilgronis

Toronto turned the ball over too many times in this away fixture. For example, the Arrows had six handling errors in the first half – this was less than Austin’s seven handling errors. However, one needs to keep into account that Toronto only had 29 percent territory and 38 percent possession.

With these statistics, the Arrows needed to make fewer mistakes to win against Austin. That is, unfortunately, something that did not happen in the second half either.

There were two clear examples of this in the second half;

  • In the 64-minute for example, White picked off the ball from an Arrows pass and used his speed to score another try for Austin.
  • By the 76-minute, Hugh Roach intercepted a back-pass from Gastón Mieres. Roach then ran down the field and scored Austin’s last try of the game.

Multiple times, the visitors let slip, and it costs them, even more, when the draw sees them well off the pace again. On the other side, Austin won easily in the end 47-21, which helps their chances of trying to make the 2021 MLR playoffs.

Austin Gilgronis big win sees them chasing LA and Utah

Austin Gilgronis were better in most fascets on Saturday against the Toronto Arrows. They were the better team in the first half, and definitely the better team in the second half. And to compound the outcome, it is the first time in Arrows’ history that they have lost more than two straight games.

Thanks to this big win against Toronto, Austin has kept the pressure on the conference leaders the Utah Warriors. The Warriors came back from a 17-point deficit against the San Diego Legion and won the game 45-41.

After their dual wins, now the Gilgronis are currently third with 35 points, while Utah stands in second, with 41 points – each chasing the top of the Western Conference LA Giltinis.

Sadly, it leaves the Toronto side falling down the Eastern Conference table. Unfortunately, for Toronto, their playoff hopes are becoming slim. 16 points behind second-place Rugby United New York. Furthermore, New York City has played one less game than Toronto. Only the top two teams from each conference will make it to this year’s MLR playoffs.

 

Toronto will play the rest of their 2021 season at Life University in Marietta, Georgia. Their next opponent is the NOLA Gold at 4:30 p.m. ET. The game will take place on Saturday, June. 19. Fans can watch the game on CST and The Rugby Network. Canadians can also watch the game on TSN.ca and TSN App.

On the reverse side, the victorious Austin Giltronis travel to Seattle and face the two-time defending champions, the Seattle Seawolves. That game will take place at Starfire Sports Complex, and will be shown on KBVO, ROOT SPORTS, and The Rugby Network. It will be shown on Sunday, June. 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

 

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