Comeback of epic proportions lead Stars to home victory
NORFOLK, VA – When you are down by fourteen points in a rugby match with less than ten minutes remaining in the game, you are usually hard-pressed to win. But with that scenario, the Virginia Stars did just that on Saturday night, scoring three tries between the 73rd and 78th minutes to pull off a shocking 29-26 comeback win over the San Diego Mission (2-2).
It was a close first half, with San Diego never leading by more than seven points. San Diego then added another try in the 67th minute to make it 26-12, and it looked like the home team was done. However, Virginia inside center Corey Connor didn't think so. The 37-year-old American inside center got things rolling with a 30-yard try run, stiff-arming at least three defenders on the way to the end zone. The Stars scored two more tries in the 76th and 78th minutes, the last by
Kuji Chagulia giving Virginia (2-2) its first lead of the game.
Connor was on fire. Not only did he score two tries in the game, but he was vital in the last minutes with his amazing passing and field vision.
"I've never seen anything like that in my life," Stars head coach Wiremu Wilson of New Zealand said.
Code:
FINAL SCORE: San Diego 26, Virginia 29
TOTAL TRIES: San Diego 4, Virginia 5
CONVERSIONS: San Diego 3/4, Virginia 2/5
PENALTIES: San Diego 0/1, Virginia 0/1
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
9' - San Diego - no try . 0-0 tie score
17' - San Diego - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #14). 7-0 San Diego
25' - San Diego - Penalty Goal Missed . 7-0 San Diego
26' - Virginia - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #12). 7-7 tie score
33' - San Diego - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #2). 14-7 San Diego
34' - San Diego - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #13). 19-7 San Diego
38' - Virginia - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #8). 19-12 San Diego
48' - Virginia - Penalty Goal Missed . 19-12 San Diego
59' - San Diego - no try . 19-12 San Diego
67' - San Diego - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #4). 26-12 San Diego
73' - Virginia - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #12). 26-17 San Diego
76' - Virginia - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #10). 26-24 San Diego
78' - Virginia - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #14). 29-26 Virginia
Knights offense sputters, but Legends give them a win
CHICAGO – The game of the week for Week 4 turned out to be a dud, especially if you like offense. Three total tries were scored as the New Jersey Knights (4-0) remained undefeated, perhaps thanks to the Chicago Legends (2-2). New Jersey won 15-7.
Chicago's defense played out of this world, holding New Jersey to no points in the first half. However, their offense, which had many, many drives deep into Knight territory, disappointed greatly, scoring only one try. Chicago had six - six! - opportunities within 10 yards of the tryline in which they failed to score. The most notable one was at the 74-minute mark. Exciting Chicago left wing
Rob Nielsen ran at least 50 yards before being stopped by defenders in the middle of the field just six yards short of the line. The Legends scrum half then took the ball from the ruck and attempted a quick pass outside to the right wing. However, Knights fullback
Nick Thomas read it well and pulled off the interception.
Thomas was clearly the player of the game with his defensive performances today. Jersey left wing
Larry McGillicuddy had another multiple try-scoring day, scoring both of his team's tries.
Code:
FINAL SCORE: New Jersey 15, Chicago 7
TOTAL TRIES: New Jersey 2, Chicago 1
CONVERSIONS: New Jersey 1/2, Chicago 1/1
PENALTIES: New Jersey 1/1, Chicago 0/0
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
12' - Chicago - no try . 0-0 tie score
15' - Chicago - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #10). 7-0 Chicago
24' - Chicago - no try . 7-0 Chicago
35' - Chicago - no try . 7-0 Chicago
45' - New Jersey - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #11). 7-7 tie score
50' - New Jersey - no try . 7-7 tie score
56' - New Jersey - PENALTY GOAL. 10-7 New Jersey
58' - Chicago - no try . 10-7 New Jersey
67' - Chicago - no try . 10-7 New Jersey
71' - New Jersey - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #11). 15-7 New Jersey
74' - Chicago - no try . 15-7 New Jersey
Mashers defeat Harlequins on the road
AUSTIN, TX – Four different players scored for Edmonton as the Mashers (3-1) made a claim for first place in the Western Division with a 20-12 victory over the Texas Harlequins (1-3) at Texas Memorial Stadium. Mashers fly half
Jace Hunter had a difficult kicking day, missing all four of his conversions.
Code:
FINAL SCORE: Edmonton 20, Texas 12
TOTAL TRIES: Edmonton 4, Texas 2
CONVERSIONS: Edmonton 0/4, Texas 1/2
PENALTIES: Edmonton 0/0, Texas 0/1
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
11' - Edmonton - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #12). 5-0 Edmonton
19' - Texas - Penalty Goal Missed . 5-0 Edmonton
26' - Edmonton - no try . 5-0 Edmonton
31' - Texas - no try . 5-0 Edmonton
43' - Edmonton - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #14). 10-0 Edmonton
53' - Edmonton - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #11). 15-0 Edmonton
55' - Texas - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #11). 15-5 Edmonton
65' - Edmonton - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #8). 20-5 Edmonton
77' - Texas - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #13). 20-12 Edmonton
Sharks win close one over Stormers
LOS ANGELES – It was a close, entertaing game, and luckily for the home fans, the Los Angeles Sharks (3-1) won. They defeated the Golden Gate Stormers (1-3) 17-14 at Memorial Coliseum. The lead exchanged hands several times, but it was Los Angeles on top when the horn sounded. In defeat, Stormers scrum half
Alf Linster scored a try, while
Sandy Kemp was a perfect two-for-two with his conversion attempts.
Code:
FINAL SCORE: Golden Gate 14, Los Angeles 17
TOTAL TRIES: Golden Gate 2, Los Angeles 3
CONVERSIONS: Golden Gate 2/2, Los Angeles 1/3
PENALTIES: Golden Gate 0/0, Los Angeles 0/2
PLAY-BY-PLAY:
10' - Los Angeles - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #13). 5-0 Los Angeles
17' - Golden Gate - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #1 ). 7-5 Golden Gate
26' - Los Angeles - no try . 7-5 Golden Gate
38' - Los Angeles - Penalty Goal Missed . 7-5 Golden Gate
42' - Los Angeles - Penalty Goal Missed . 7-5 Golden Gate
54' - Golden Gate - no try . 7-5 Golden Gate
60' - Golden Gate - no try . 7-5 Golden Gate
69' - Los Angeles - TRY – missed conversion (Try scorer: #10). 10-7 Los Angeles
74' - Golden Gate - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #9). 14-10 Golden Gate
76' - Los Angeles - TRY – conversion made (Try scorer: #9). 17-14 Los Angeles