The Toronto Arrows host the NOLA Gold at York Lions Stadium in what is the final game of the 2023 season for both sides.

The Gold missed the playoffs for the 6th year in a row following an up and down year which ultimately ended in disappointment for a side that looked to be one of the most improved from 2022. The Arrows playoff race ended many weeks ago and their club-worst, miserable 2023 season comes to a merciful end after this game. Both sides were playing for nothing but pride but the Arrows at home would’ve liked to give their fans something to cheer about.

And they started strong. An early try from Mitch Richardson converted by O’Leary gave them a 7-0 lead, and it seemed that the Arrows had scored two more tries in the half, although one was called back for a knock-on, and the other for a forward pass. The Canadians settled for a 3pt penalty, and took a 10-0 lead. The Gold got on the board right at the end of the first half through a Tom Florence battering ram, and this began a wave of 26 unanswered points for the visitors, who took a 10-26 lead into the last 10 minutes through tries from Alex Lopeti and Harley Wheeler, as well as a second for Tom Florence. The Arrows did have a few penalty attempts during this time, but O’Leary’s attempts flew just wide.

A James O’Neill try with 5 minutes to go seemed like a consolation score and proved to be just that, although a 90 metre Liam Bowman interception 7-pointer with the clock in the red meant that the Arrows got the last word, but still fell just short of a comeback victory.

Both sides will now look to the long offseason, and contemplate their 2024 rosters.

The San Diego Legion travel north of the border to face the Toronto Arrows for the first time since 2021.

The Legion began the game on the front foot but thanks to stalwart Arrows defence, did not get on the board until shortly before the hydration break. Conceding early tries has been an issue for Toronto all season so this proved a minor victory, despite losing Tyler Rowland to injury almost immediately, followed by Tyler Wong around the half hour mark (also an issue all season!). The Arrows enjoyed a 10 minute spell toward the end of the first half in which they scored 17 unanswered points including a wonderful Will Grant try from a kick-and-chase off Peter Nelson’s boot. To the surprise of many, the hosts took a 17-7 lead into the tunnels at half time.

This lead did not last long into the second half however, as the Western Conference leaders proved why they topped the league with a completely dominant 7-try, 0-43 second half to finish the game 17-50 and clinch a bye to the Western Conference Finals, where they will face the winner of the Western Eliminator.

Old Glory DC travel north of the border to face the Toronto Arrows at York Lions Stadium.

The Toronto Arrows managed to salvage a draw thanks to a last minute D’Shawn Bowen try. The win was available via the conversion, but it was a tricky angle and Peter Nelson floated it wide.

This was the 2nd draw of the 2023 Major League Rugby season, with both of them featuring the Toronto Arrows in back-to-back weeks after their 34-34 draw with Rugby ATL last week.

The first draw of the 2023 Major League Rugby season brings an end to the longest losing streak in Toronto Arrows history, having lost 7 games prior to this. This draw badly dents ATL’s playoff push in a closelt fough eastern conference race, and the team from Georgia is likely disappointed that they could secure the 5 point win.

At the time, while still 6th in the Eastern Conference, this draw lifted the Arrows above Chicago and Dallas in the battle at the bottom.

The Free Jacks completely dominate the Arrows in Toronto, setting new records in a trio of big categories.

With a total of 80pts scored, this sets a new record for points scored by a side in a single game, surpassing the previous record of 74 set by Seattle Seawolves in 2022. Their total of 12 tries also surpasses Seattle’s record of 11 to become the most tries scored by a side in a single MLR game. With the Toronto Arrows only scoring 5pts themselves, this game also sets a new record for the largest winning margin in a MLR game at 75, breaking the previous record of 67 also set by Seattle when they beat the Dallas Jackals 74-7 in 2022.

Old Glory DC travel north of the border to face the Toronto Arrows at York Lions Stadium.

With both teams already eliminated from playoff contention, the dead rubber match provided a chance for each team to finish their 2022 season on a high, and it was Old Glory who took that chance, scoring 8 tries in a hard fought 35-50 win, their 3rd of the season and first ever over the Arrows.

The Toronto Arrows host the New England Free Jacks north of the border, at York Lions Stadium.

The Free Jacks entered the game on a 10-game win streak, but would not make it to 11. The Arrows claimed the victory, with a 33-18 bonus point victory over a sluggish Free Jacks side. Their 10-game win streak ends, setting a new MLR record and becoming the first side to reach the double-digit win streak milestone.