The 2023 Eastern Conference Eliminator saw the defending champion Rugby New York Ironworkers host Old Glory DC in their first every Championship Series appearance.

This started perfectly for the hosts, with Fa’asiu Fuatai scoring just 45 seconds in. The conversion was missed however and DC erased this lead shortly after, with William Talataina scoring and late addition Tito Diaz Bonilla adding the 2 to give the Flags an early 5-7 lead. Diaz Bonilla would add a pair of penalties to extend their lead to 5-13 shortly after the water break, before the tables started to turn. an Ironworkers maul was brought down illegally and thus a penalty try was awarded, as well as a yellow card for DC Captain Kyle Baillie. 6 minutes later, Lautaro Bavaro joined him for the same offence, reducing DC to 13 men and facing another relentless maul from the hosts, which was converted into a try by Dylan Fawsitt, and Sam Windsor added the two. Diaz Bonilla added another 3 from 40+ metres just before half-time to reduce the deficit to 19-16.

Fawsitt would strike again 10 minutes into the 2nd half, although not without controversy. He as carried over the line but appeared to be held up, and the ref agreed. The TMO did not, however, and intervened to award the try despite evidence suggesting otherwise. Windsor again added the 2 to stretch their lead to 26-16. This try made Dylan Fawsitt the 6th player in League history to record a multi-try game in the playoffs.

This decision seemingly lit a fire under the DC team, as they struck back with Kyle Baillie making up for his earlier mistake. A flurry of phases from Old Glory resulted in the big lock muscling over in the corner, with another excellent kick from Diaz Bonilla bringing the score to 26-23. DC stayed on the front foot, and a scrum infringement earned NY’s Sam Davies a yellow card, shortly followed by Tevita Langi after a 4th scrum penalty, prompting another Penalty Try, against the hosts this time.

DC lead 26-30 heading into the last 10 minutes and survived a heap of NY pressure, with Dylan Fawsitt spilling the ball in the hunt for his 3rd of the day. A turnover will a handful of seconds remaining was finished by Kurt Baker to secure the win for the visitors despite a consolation try from DaQuan Perry with the clock in the red. The Flags will advance to the Conference Finals to face the Free Jacks at Fort Quincy, while the Ironworkers head to the offseason and look towards 2024.

The Utah Warriors travel to Mount Vernon to face the Reigning MLR Champion Rugby New York Ironworkers.

The Ironworkers have already clinched their playoff spot, but would need just a single point to secure home field advantage for the Eliminator Round against Old Glory DC. The Utah Warriors were playing for nothing but pride, having been eliminated from playoff contention despite holding an impressive 9-6 record going into this game.

The game was a back and forth affair through the first half. With the two sides alternating try scoring with 3 tries each and NY holding a narrow 19-14 lead going into the break. The Warriors exploded into the second half, however. Joel Hodgson and Calvin Whiting dotted down in the 42nd and 45th minutes respectively to give Utah a healthy lead before NY stabilised and Ishmail Shabazz grounds in the corner in his first game of 2023 to give NY the try BP and clinch home field advantage for the Eliminator Round before Jurie van Vuuren restored the Warriors’ buffer.

DaQuan Perry scored his 1st MLR try at the 70th minute to bring NY back to within 5, before new Utah signing Jesse Hamilton grabbed a try on his debut with seconds remaining to seal the deal for Utah. They finish the 2023 season with a 10-6 record and 50pts. This is the 2nd best record to NOT qualify for the playoffs, and the 3rd best points total to miss.

The Ironworkers host the Dallas Jackals in Week 16 of MLR 2023. While Dallas has nothing to lose, the reigning champs are fighting to secure the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

A dominant 7 try, 43-14 victory for the hosts sees them pick up all 5 points in the standings, putting the pressure on Rugby ATL and NOLA to win their next game to keep their chances alive.

The first ever Major League Rugby game held at Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon. The Home opener of the NY Ironworkers!

The home crowd were treated to an almost entirely one way game, as New York racked up 6 tries and 39 points while the Toronto Arrows manage a single penalty kick. This tied the New York franchise record for Winning Margins, at 36, and is also the heaviest loss in Toronto Arrows franchise history.

This wasn’t the only history made in this game as with his 39th minute penalty kick, Sam Windsor became the first player in MLR history to reach 500pts scored in the competition!