Ellie Presnol Chicago Hounds Head of Ticketing | LinkedIn
Ellie Presnol Chicago Hounds Head of Ticketing | LinkedIn
The Chicago Hounds have secured a spot in the 2024 Major League Rugby playoffs after defeating Anthem Rugby Carolina with a score of 38-29. This victory brings the Hounds' season record to seven wins, seven losses, and one draw.
Dylan Fawsitt made a significant contribution with two tries from relief duty, marking his ninth and tenth scores of the season. Additional tries came from Janus Venter, Mac Jones, Luke White, and Julian Dominguez. Flyhalf Luke Carty contributed eight points through four successful conversions.
Anthem Rugby Carolina opened the scoring with Connor Robinson's try, converted by Calvin Loubser for an early lead. However, Mac Jones quickly responded for the Hounds in the eighth minute. He broke through defenders to score Chicago's first points of the game.
Jones continued his impressive performance with another line break leading to a try by Luke White. Carty’s conversion put Chicago ahead at 12-10. Although Loubser managed a try for Carolina, his missed conversion left the score tied at 12 each.
After an Anthem penalty led to a kick for touch by Chicago, Janus Venter scored from a maul, with Carty adding another conversion to give Chicago a seven-point lead. An intercepted pass allowed Carolina to equalize before halftime at 19-19.
In the second half, Loubser gave Carolina a brief lead with a penalty kick. Julian Dominguez then scored his sixth try of the year for Chicago in the 58th minute, putting them ahead again at 24-22 after another successful conversion by Carty.
Carolina quickly reclaimed the lead via their tighthead prop's try and conversion, bringing them up to 29-26. But Dylan Fawsitt's entry into the game turned things around for Chicago as he scored two tries late in the match. With additional points from Carty’s conversions, Chicago secured their win at 38-29.
This victory ensures that the Hounds are moving forward to compete in the playoffs.