Photo by Connie Hatfield of the Seawolves game-winning try.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES BUILD DYNASTY AS BACK-TO-BACK MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY CHAMPIONS
The Seattle Seawolves dynasty in Major League Rugby has begun with their second Championship title. MLR’s 20-week season concluded in San Diego, California
with the Seawolves defending the Championship shield. In the regular season the Seawolves fell to San Diego Legion twice, but in an impressive win
at San Diego’s home stadium the Seawolves have done what no Seattle pro team has ever done before, defend a championship title.
KICK OFF: Sunday, June 16 at 1:00 PM PT in San Diego, California
The Seattle Seawolves kicked off in San Diego on the hunt for their second Major League Rugby Championship title. A penalty call on the Seawolves awarded
Legion a kick for points, 0-3 Legion at minute six. Legion followed it up with a show of strength just outside of the try line but were unable to dot
it down. Shalom Suniula managed to get his hands on the ball in the Seawall and kicked out.
20 MINUTES:
The Seawolves were called for another penalty which awarded Legion another 3-point kick. Score was 0-6 at minute 20. Following the water break the Seawolves
came out ready to fire and steady momentum awarded Stephan Coetzee a try. Brock Staller converted his first kick of the game, 7-6. A Seawolves trick
lineout by Coetzee fed the ball to JP Smith who dodged the unsuspecting Legion defense and dove in for a try. Staller was good on the wide conversion
again which brought the score up to 14-6 with seven minutes left in the half.
40 MINUTES:
San Diego Legion kicked off the second half. Both teams had seen a slow first half, but Legion was rearing for a try. The Seawall held strong against many
attempts to breach, but Legion was finally able to push it out wide enough to slip through the edge of the defense. The wide conversion was good which
made it a one-point game, 14-13 at minute 52.
60 MINUTES:
The crowd of Legion fans and Seawolves fans alike grew louder as the clock winded down. A mauling scrum by Legion led to a try against the posts. The conversion
was good, and Legion took the lead at minute 65, 14-20. Fast play from the Seawolves put the team along the try line. Riekert Hattingh spotted the
gap to dive over for a try. Staller’s kick was just short, 19-20 San Diego was still in the lead with seven minutes remaining. Legion’s home crowd
surged with noise and emboldened Legion to go for a drop goal. Legion was ahead 19-23 with two minutes left. The Seawolves had a lineout and took the
moment to collect themselves as the clock hit 80 minutes. Hattingh took the lineout and a driving maul began. Brad Tucker found the ball and touched
it down for a try to win the game. Seawolves win their second MLR Championship in a row, 26-23.
FINAL SCORE:
Seawolves defeat San Diego Legion 26-23 to win MLR Championship.
Media Contact:
Alicia Richardson
Alicia@seattleseawolves.com
425-679-1138
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