Marcello Wainwright and his Toronto Arrow remaining 2020 matches are cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 global crisis and the health and safety guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the Major League Rugby (MLR) announced.
“On behalf of MLR and all of our teams, I am saddened to announce that the remainder of the 2020 season is cancelled. We believe it is ultimately the correct decision as we factored in health and safety risks for all parties,” said MLR Commissioner George Killebrew, “I want to ensure our fans that there is no doubt MLR will be back in 2021 and will emerge bigger and better than ever before. We will be using this time as an opportunity to grow all aspects of MLR and we’re excited to continue this journey into 2021, and for many years to come.”
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Ariel Re Bermuda International Rugby 7s Called Off
IslandStats.com
www.islandstats.com can confirm that the Ariel Re Bermuda International Rugby 7s has been cancelled for this year.
The tournament was due to take place Friday March 13th and Saturday March 14th.
Due to the ongoing confusion with the Coronavirus, Colleges and University have cancelled traveling to Bermuda for the weekend.
One school Stony Brook University announced due to changing circumstances the Rugby Team will not be traveling to Bermuda.
Our Spring Season is currently on hold while Stony Brook University monitors COVID-19.
Stony Brook University students are backing a Change.org petition to close campus after coronavirus cases were confirmed in New York.
Tom Healy the Tournament Director said, “We have had to cancel the event as teams have changed their schedules, it is unfortunate and we have already began looking at next years event.”
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Wainwright’s Toronto Arrows Fall to Colorado
IslandStats.com
With Marcello Wainwright out injured and listed as day-to-day, his Toronto Arrows teammates four-match winning streak to start the 2020 Major League Rugby season was snapped with them dropping a close 22-19 contest to the Colorado Raptors.
Colorado opened the scoring with a pair of penalty goals from the boot of Raptors center Robbie Petzer, the first and second of four he would hit on the evening.
After a Sam Malcolm penalty goal halved Toronto’s deficit, Colorado scored a well-worked team try that began with a strong run from flanker Connor Cook and ended with wing John Ryberg dotting down.
The Arrows responded quickly, and it was through the hands of Uruguayan international Gaston Mieres. After breaking the line, the versatile outside back juked his way across the try line for his second tally in as many matches.
Late penalty goals from both sides saw the hosts hold a 14-13 lead entering the interval.
The second half opened with a try from Raptors wing Mika Kruse, who capitalized off an Arrows handling error to race in for the score.
The bulk of the second frame was colored with several errors and infringements from both teams, slowing the pace of play and making it difficult for either side to find rhythm, but Malcolm was able to add two more penalty goals through the mid-stages of the half to draw the match level. The decisive play fell in the 76th minute, with Petzer’s connecting on his fourth penalty to put the hosts ahead for good. The Arrows would have one final drive in the dying seconds of the match, but the ball was stripped meters from the line, and Colorado retained possession until the referee indicated that time was up.
Monday, March 09, 2020
Toms & Cardiff Fall to Aberavon
IslandStats.com
Brynley Toms and his Cardiff Rugby Football Club teammates came away from the Talbot Athletic Ground with just a losing bonus to show for their efforts in a 20-18 defeat.
Aberavon were looking to reverse the defeat at the Arms Park late last year but it was Cardiff that started the better. Having won a series of penalties the visitors worked their way into the Aberavon twenty-two and when the lineout drive was stopped the ball was spread into the back and Teri Gee ran a perfect line onto Gareth Thompson’s pass to score, Thompson added the extras.
The outside half was on target again a few minutes later as he slotted a simple penalty to extend the lead. Aberavon fought back and when they broke through the Cardiff defense, Chay Smith was on hand to finish the move. Aled Thomas added the extras and levelled the scores shortly before half time with a penalty.
The opening of the second half saw Cardiff in control again. The lead was again back in their hands when Thompson kicked a penalty, but the Wizards hit the front for the first time, following a yellow card for Filo Paulo, when Geraint James scored near the posts and Thomas added the extras. They went further ahead when Thomas kicked his second penalty of the game. Cardiff’s defense was keeping them in the game and when they were reduced to fourteen permanently, they had to work especially hard. That they did and they worked their way down into the home side’s half for one last onslaught.
The forwards had the first go, but when that didn’t work the ball was moved wide creating space for Teri Gee to score his second wide out. The conversion slipped agonizingly wide and Cardiff were left two points adrift as the referee blew for no side.
Sunday, March 08, 2020
BRFU Women's Double Header & Warm Up Match
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Rugby Football Union’s final Women’s game of the season took place at the National Sports Center.
Police 74 Teachers 5
The Police Ladies ran away big winners against the Teachers 74 – 5. The Police got 6 Try’s from Estienne Coetzee, Jo Murray added 3 Try’s, while Fiona Donaldson added 2 Try’s. Mika Tomita and Jessica Wagner scored a Try each, with Donaldson kicking 2 Conversions. The Teachers Ladies lone Try came from Gillian Cross.
Mariners 22 Renegades 5
In the second game of the day, the Mariners Ladies defeated the Renegades Ladies 22 – 5. Deneka Borden scored 2 Try’s for the Mariners Ladies, with Najee Pitt-Clarke and Lysmieri Santana Suazo added a Try each, Gina Newson kicked 1 Conversion. Jessica Cassidy scored the lone Try for the Renegades.
Bermuda 54 Harvard 12
A Bermuda team with eight uncapped players in the squad, defeated a visiting Harvard team in the first of two warmup games leading up to their Championship match.
