North American Rugby Database

Report

The Seattle Seawolves host the newly named Rugby New York Ironworkers at Starfire Stadium, in a repeat of the 2022 MLR final.

Unlike the 2022 MLR final the result, much like the venue, was Seattle’s. A kicking duel between MLR debutant Jordan Chait and MLR veteran Sam Windsor (hunting down 500 in the competition) was the story well into the second half, with Seattle leading by 4 penalties to 2 (12-6) by the 50th minute.

This is when 2022’s Top MLR try scorer opened his account for 2023. Ed Fidow scoring the first try of the season for both himself, and New York. The conversion was missed however, so with the score now 12-11 to the hosts New York had to keep hammering on the famous Seawall, which held firm. Chait slotted two more penalties whenever Seattle could get into kicking range, to bring the score to 18-11 before Duncan Matthews broke through in the 77th minute for a 7pt try that sealed the game.

There is still a lot of rugby left to play, but Seattle claimed their revenge on New York, on this occasion.