USRN

As we move over the half way mark in the season, it’s the NOLA Gold who remain top of the league having been in that position for the majority of the season. The Gold have a 5 point lead over the Glendale Raptors in second place and a 6 point lead over RUNY albeit RUNY have a game in hand having played just 8 games to NOLA’s 9.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table Austin Elite Rugby make the long journey to Toronto in search of their opening win of the season. The last time the sides met Austin hosted with the game being decided by a single try in Toronto’s favor.

NOLA Gold Vs Utah Warriors

In recent week’s NOLA Gold had hit a bit of a purple patch, given their own extremely high standards but they bounced back to winning ways last week with a last minute try to clinch the win against an in form Toronto side. Tristan Blewett once again had a great game and managed to get on the scoresheet for the Gold at outside center.
Utah Warriors lost to the Seattle Seawolves last weekend at home having led 22-17 in the first half but were blitzed in the second half as the Seawolves ran in five tries to Utah’s two.

NOLA currently sit 5 points clear at the top of the table and they will be targeting a further 5 points from this game.

Prediction: NOLA Gold.

Houston SaberCats Vs Seattle Seawolves

The Houston SaberCats lost out to third place in the league Glendale Raptors last week. The SaberCats recorded their second win of the season against the Utah Warriors the week before that but apart from that there were five loses in a row.
The Seawolves by contrast beat the Utah Warriors last, the week before they lost to a strong San Diego side and before that they won four in a row. The
Seawolves welcomed back their elusive full back Mat Turner last week, who put in a great performance on his come back and topped it off with a try.

The Seawolves are in fourth position, level on points with RUNY and one point behind the Raptors with a game in hand. The Seawolves could move into the top three by the end of the weekend.

Prediction: Seattle Seawolves

RUNY Vs San Diego Legion

RUNY host San Diego in what is the game of the weekend. The last time RUNY and San Diego met was at the start of the season in what was RUNY’s first competitive game as a professional side. RUNY emerged as winners in this game beating the Legion in San Diego 25-23.
San Diego are possibly the most in form side in the league right now. after an incredible game against the Seawolves two weeks ago in which they won 28-22, they followed it up with a comprhensive victory over Austin Elite Rugby last week. The return of Nate Augspurger sees the legion as a lethal prospect in attack.

RUNY have been the model of consistency all season. While they have amongst the lowest bonus points in the league with just 4, they’re efficiency and ability to grind out results is what has set them apart. RUNY are a solid side with an incredible spine starting with Dylan Fawsitt through Ross Deacon in the forwards whilst in the backs they have veteran Mike Petri and Ben Foden providing a wealth of experience between them.

Although San Diego are riding on the crest of a wave, RUNY may just have enough to beat them at home in Brooklyn.

Prediction: RUNY

Toronto Arrows Vs Austin Elite Rugby

Toronto Arrows are once again at home this weekend as they continue their stretch of home games having been on the road for the first half of the season. This weekend they host Austin Elite Rugby.
Austin are off the back of a heavy loss to the impressive San Diego, losing 45-15 last weekend. Austin have played periods of good rugby, most notably against table toppers NOLA Gold when they lost due to a last minute try by the Gold.
The Arrows who are in sixth position have a mixed run of form having won four and lost 5 so far this season. Toronto have proven that when they are on form, they are really on form. Toronto made history in week 10 scoring the most points in an MLR game.

It’s difficult to see Austin Elite Rugby get their first win of the season in Canada this weekend and with Toronto narrowly losing out to NOLA Gold last week, they will want to get back on track this weekend.

Prediction: Toronto Arrows.