Hounds Fall to Old Glory, 22-21

CHICAGO, IL- The Chicago Hounds’ ill-discipline cost them in Saturday evening’s Week 11 Major League Rugby contest. Chicago fell 22-21 to Eastern-Conference foe Old Glory DC, moving to 5-4-1 on the season. The Hounds now turn their attention to the Houston Sabercats, currently the top-seeded team in the Western Conference.

Old Glory DC only scored one try on Saturday night, and it was in the opening five minutes of the game via hooker Facundo Gattas. DC flyhalf Gradyn Bowd converted the try, giving DC a 7-0 lead early in the game.

Chicago outside center Bryce Campbell scored his first try of the 2024 season in the 26th minute. Chicago had an attacking lineout right outside the Old Glory endzone. After a few phases of inching closer and closer, Campbell received a pass from the base of the ruck. He barrelled into two DC defenders before falling down in the endzone, giving Chicago their first score of the day. Adriaan Carelse’s kick was good, and the score was level after half an hour of play.

Bowd added his second penalty kick of the day just moments later, giving Old Glory a narrow three point lead. But Chicago center Cassh Maluia added his first career try in the 36th minute. The former NFL-player did well to connect with right wing Mark O’Keeffe off of a set piece move. O’Keeffe was dragged down by Old Glory but managed to find Maluia with a well-timed offload. The powerful center had some work to do, but he carried a few Old Glory players over the try line for the second Chicago score of the day. The kick was good once more, 14-10 Hounds after 37 minutes.

On the stroke of halftime, Bowd kicked his second successful penalty goal of the night, bringing the scoreline 14-13 after the first half of play.

The Hounds just couldn’t get things going in the second half. They were dinged for countless penalties and Bowd added to his point tally with successful penalty kick number three in the 45th minute. Replacement flyhalf Jason Robertson picked up right where Bowd left off, adding his first penalty kick just minutes later.

And just moments after that, Robertson would go on to kick another successful penalty, extending the lead to two-scores, 22-14. Old Glory added nine points via three penalties between minutes 45 and 53, and that would ultimately be enough to secure the win.

Chicago did salvage a losing bonus point in the 80th minute, however. O’Keeffe ran a well-timed line that froze the Old Glory defense, touching down his first score of the season. Carelse’s kick was good, leaving the final score 22-21.

Chicago Hounds: 21

Tries (3): Bryce Campbell (26’), Cash Maluia (36’), Mark O’Keeffe (80’)

Conversions (3): Adriaan Carelse

Old Glory DC: 22

Tries (1): Facundo Gattas

Conversions (1): Gradyn Bowd

Penalties (5): Gradyn Bowd (3), Jason Robertson (2)