The Seattle Seawolves, previously 8-1, losing to New Orleans Gold, previously 4-4, on Saturday in a one-point game, 32-31, was not the way to get closer to Houston, the leader in the Western Conference of Major League Rugby. But the prospect of becoming No. 1 again is not out of the question.
The Seawolves, now 8-2, trail the Saborcats, 9-1, by four points, 44-40 in the standings. Both teams picked up bonus points for scoring four tries. Seattle was within seven of the winner for another bonus point. But Houston won, and Seattle lost.
Setting aside Houston’s 38-15 turn on the winless Anthem, the biggest margin in this weekend’s five games was three points, RFC Los Angles win over the Dallas Jackals, 29-26 (a surprise).
The rest of the games were one-point affairs: The previously mentioned NOLA win over Seawolves, 32-31 (a surprise); Old Glory DC’s 22-21 win over Chicago Hounds (another surprise); and Miami Sharks’ win over Utah 20-19 (one more surprise).
Close games usually mean a well-balanced state of competition, which seems true in the Eastern Conference where the top four teams and present playoff contenders are within six points of each other from No. 1 New England (30 points) to No. 4 Old Glory (24). The close-game model does not hold up in the Western Conference with the No. 1 and No. 2 teams 10 points ahead of the other playoff contenders: Houston 44, Seattle 40, San Diego 30 and Dallas 28.
Can Seattle make up the four-point deficit behind Houston before they meet again on June 15 in Sabercat Stadium? Before then, both teams have a bye in the coming five weeks. Seattle faces Dallas, Old Glory and Utah, all except Utah in the playoff race. Tough games. Houston meets Chicago, NOLA and LA. Two playoff contenders (and LA).
Looking at those schedules, it seems that the Western Conference lead going into the final month of the season could be decided on June 15.
More about the Seattle-New Orleans game and further complaints about rugby rules and tactics in a coming post. Off to a Mother’s Day brinner (brunch and dinner),