Hounds beat Legion in clash of conference leaders

The Chicago Hounds claimed victory in a full-blooded clash with the San Diego Legion at Torero Stadium on Saturday night. When the dust settled the Eastern Conference leaders stood just above their Western Conference counterparts, the final score reading 27-20 to the visitors.

Noah Brown won the opening kickoff for Chicago, and before two minutes were up on the clock Christopher Hilsenback had slotted a penalty goal. The Hounds defense out wide was found wanting as Lincoln McClutchie spotted a wide-open Rhian Stowers and the cross-kick found its home. Chicago’s pack responded, the big men pounding away at the line until Mason Flesch powered over to make it 10-7 at the first hydration break.

McClutchie exchanged three-pointers with Hilsenbeck and then both sides scored tries in a flurry before halftime. San Diego were first, the Legion going through several phases before Christian Poidevin wrestled his way over the line. The Hounds won back possession and held on with the clock in the red until Hamish Bain steamed through a gap to touch down under the posts for a seven-pointer.

There was plenty of action in the second half but points were hard to come by. McClutchie drew the scores level just shy of the hour mark with a penalty goal. The Hounds went one better. Luke White’s barging run pinned San Diego back on the goal line, and a few phases later Lucas Rumball crashed over to take the lead. With the clock ticking down the Legion threw everything at Chicago’s line but the defense held firm, forcing a knock-on and ending San Diego’s hopes of claiming a draw.

The Legion now face a challenging road trip to New England were the defending champion Free Jacks await on Saturday afternoon. For the Hounds it’s a less menacing proposition, with a home game against Anthem RC on Sunday.

SAN DIEGO 20
Tries (2) – R. Stowers (8′), C. Poidevin (37′)
Cons (2) – L. McClutchie 2/2 (9′, 38′)
Pens (2) – L. McClutchie 2/2 (29′, 57′)

CHICAGO 27
Tries (3) – M. Flesch (14′), H. Bain (40’+2′), L. Rumball (69′)
Cons (3) – C. Hilsenbeck 2/2 (15′, 70′), No kick (40’+2′)
Pens (2) – C. Hilsenbeck 2/2 (2′, 33′)

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio (17 Nathan Sylvia 63′), 2 Shilo Klein, 3 Darcy Breen, 4 Jed Holloway, 5 Brandon Harvey (20 Zak Farrance 48′), 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Brad Wilkin (capt.) (21 Paddy Ryan 73′), 8 Jimmy Hokafonu (19 Vili Helu 53′), 9 Richard Judd (22 Connor Tupai 73′), 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 11 Ryan James, 12 Tavite Lopeti (23 Tiaan Loots 22′), 13 Marcel Brache, 14 Rhian Stowers, 15 Ethan Grayson

Not used: 16 Liki Chan-Tung, 18 Oliver Kane

CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Zura Zhvania 51′), 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Charlie Abel (18 Ignacio Péculo 57′), 4 James Scott, 5 Hamish Bain (19 Luke White 57′), 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 9 Mitch Short (21 Jason Higgins 60′), 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Mark O’Keeffe, 12 Ollie Devoto (23 Noah Flesch 67′), 13 Bryce Campbell, 14 Noah Brown, 15 Adriaan Carelse (22 Tim Swiel 50′)

Not used: 16 Jackson Zabierek, 20 Matthew Oworu

Date: Saturday, April 5
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 19:00 local
Weather: clear, 67°F (19°C), wind S 5-10mph (8-16km/h)

Referee: Peter Pender (Canada)
Assistants: Jacob Gonzales (USA) & Kirk Swanner (USA)
TMO: Mike Kelly (USA)