Round 8 of Major League Rugby delivered major shakeups across the standings, with gritty wins, comeback efforts, and playoff implications on the line.
From Old Glory DC’s bonus-point triumph over Seattle to RFCLA snapping Houston’s winning streak on the road, this week’s results highlighted the growing parity and unpredictability across the league.
- Old Glory DC 29 – 12 Seattle Seawolves
- Anthem RC 19 – 33 NOLA Gold
- Houston SaberCats 22 – 24 RFC Los Angeles
- San Diego Legion 20 – 27 Chicago Hounds
- New England Free Jacks 43 – 6 Miami Sharks
Here are all the recaps and highlights from Round 8.
OLD GLORY DC DOMINATE SECOND HALF TO DOWN SEATTLE AND CLAIM BONUS POINT WIN
Old Glory DC 29 – 12 Seattle Seawolves (HT: 7-5)
Old Glory DC took a firm step forward in the MLR playoff race with a composed 29-12 bonus point victory over the Seattle Seawolves at home in Round 8. Despite conceding the opening try to Toni Pulu, DC responded through Nick Grigg and carried a narrow 7-5 lead into halftime. The second half belonged to the hosts, who punished Seattle’s maul infringements with three unanswered tries from Collin Grosse, John Rizzo (after a clever Robertson kick), and Owen Sheehy to secure the bonus point. Seattle battled to the end and were rewarded with a late try from Riekert Hattingh, but Emery’s penalty goal sealed a crucial win for OGDC.
OLD GLORY DC
- Tries: Grigg (21’), Grosse (49’), Rizzo (52’), Sheehy (68’)
- Conversions: Robertson (22’, 50’), Emery (69’)
- Penalties: Emery(76’)
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
- Tries: Pulu (12’), Hattingh (72’)
- Conversions: Fouché (73’)
NOLA GOLD STRIKE EARLY AND HOLD OFF ANTHEM COMEBACK IN CHARLOTTE
Anthem RC 19 – 33 NOLA Gold (HT: 12-26)
A first-half blitz from NOLA Gold proved too much for Anthem RC to overcome, as the visitors rode out a spirited second-half push to claim a 33-19 bonus point win on the road. JP Du Plessis opened the scoring before Anthem replied through Toby Fricker, but the Gold stormed ahead with tries from Isaac Te Tamaki, Chase Jones, and Luke Campbell, including a highlight-reel assist from Du Plessis. Joe Apikotoa’s try on the stroke of halftime kept Anthem in the fight, and rookie Colin Turner brought the home side within seven after scoring early in the second half. However, Anthem’s comeback effort stalled due to turnovers and execution errors, and a late try by Ale Lopeti sealed the result for NOLA.
ANTHEM RC
- Tries: Fricker (11’), Apikotoa (40’), Turner (58’)
- Conversions: Wilson (40’, 59’)
NOLA GOLD
- Tries: Du Plessis (10’), Te Tamaki (20’), C. Jones (23’), Campbell (26’), Lopeti (72’)
- Conversions: Auto-Conversions (10’, 20’), D. Jones (24’), Carty (73’)
RFCLA SNAP SABERCATS’ STREAK WITH GRITTY WIN IN HOUSTON
Houston SaberCats 22 – 24 RFC Los Angeles (HT: 10-10)
Rugby FC Los Angeles continued their rise in the Western Conference with a clutch 24-22 win on the road, ending the Houston SaberCats’ five-game winning streak. Despite trailing 17-10 early in the second half, RFCLA responded with three unanswered tries—including a go-ahead score by Billy Meakes in the 71st minute—to take control. Houston threatened late with an 80th-minute try from Pita Anae-Ah-Sue, but the conversion attempt to tie missed wide, sealing the win for the visitors. Both teams secured bonus points on the night.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
- Tries: Warner (22’), Momsen (37’), Tasi (52’), Anae-Ah-Sue (80’)
- Conversions: Alatimu (53’)
RFC LOS ANGELES
- Tries: Bertranou (16’), Van Vugt (29’), Leonard (56’), Meakes (71’)
- Conversions: Macdonald (57’, 72’)
CHICAGO OUTMUSCLES SAN DIEGO TO END LEGION’S HOME STREAK
San Diego Legion 20 – 27 Chicago Hounds (HT: 17-20)
In a top-of-the-table clash, the Chicago Hounds handed San Diego Legion their first home defeat in over 300 days with a gritty 27-20 win. The Hounds dominated in key moments through disciplined play and forward power, earning a bonus-point victory on the road. Tries from Mason Flesch, Hamish Bain, and captain Lucas Rumball, combined with a perfect kicking night from Chris Hilsenbeck, sealed the win. Despite strong scores from Rhian Stowers and Christian Poidevin, the Legion couldn’t break down Chicago’s resolute second-half defense.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
- Tries: Stowers (7’), Poidevin (36’)
- Conversions: McClutchie (8’, 37’)
- Penalties: McClutchie (29’, 56’)
CHICAGO HOUNDS
- Tries: Flesch (13’), Bain (40’), Rumball (69’)
- Conversions: Hilsenbeck (14’), Auto-Conersion (40’)
- Penalties: Hilsenbeck (2’, 32’, 70’)
FREE JACKS STAY UNBEATEN AT HOME WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER SHARKS
New England Free Jacks 43 – 6 Miami Sharks (HT: 12-6)
The Miami Sharks showed early composure and grit in a tough away test against the reigning MLR champions but ultimately fell 43-6 to the New England Free Jacks. After conceding an early converted try, the Sharks responded with two penalty goals from flyhalf Shane O’Leary to close the gap to 7-6. Miami battled fiercely at the breakdown and stayed competitive throughout the first half. However, a try on the stroke of halftime gave New England momentum heading into the second period. The hosts then took full control in the second half, piling on 29 unanswered points with a mix of forward dominance and fast-paced backline execution. Despite flashes of resilience, the Sharks couldn’t close the gap and will now look to bounce back at home next week against Houston.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
- Tries: Balekana (1’, 40’, 45’), Melvin (68’, 72’), Reeves (75’)
- Conversions: Peni (2’, 46’, 69’, 73’, 76’)
- Penalties: Peni (52’)
MIAMI SHARKS
- Penalties: O’Leary (8’, 23’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 8
As Round 8 wraps up, playoff pictures are starting to take shape. With New England remaining unbeaten at home, Chicago upsetting San Diego, and RFCLA continuing to climb, momentum is shifting across both conferences. Stay tuned for Round 9 as the intensity only grows.
Who impressed you most in Round 8? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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