MLR Week 14 Results: LA, Utah, NOLA, Atlanta and Austin with Weekend Wins
Next weekend will be the last MLR action for many of the internationals who will be leaving for the July tests in Europe right after their matches. Some may be back in action for the final regular season weekend on July 17th.
Several teams have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, in the West Seattle and Houston are out with San Diego having the slimmest of hopes. Realistically only Austin can catch LA and Utah.
In the East only Toronto are eliminated but Old Glory have the slimmest of hopes and realistically only NOLA and New England are in the race to catch Atlanta and New York.
Next weekend New York takes on Toronto in a must win for New York to keep ahead of NOLA. NOLA and New England do battle to see who can catch New York if they falter. Utah plays last place Houston which should see another W for the 2nd place team in the West. Old Glory takes on Atlanta, important for both teams, a loss will eliminate Old Glory and Atlanta needs the win to secure their top spot in the East. Austin visits San Diego, with Austin desperate to keep pace with Utah, while a SD loss will eliminate their slim playoff hopes. Finally on Sunday top ranked LA visit Seattle to try and stay atop the West division.
RESULTS
STANDINGS
*MLR Week 14: Utah @ NY; NOLA @ Toronto; Houston @ Atlanta; LA @ San Diego; Austin @ Seattle*
The push to make the top two in each division and continue to the playoff round intensifies with just a few weeks left in the season. Most teams have 4 matches left with a few having 5 games left.
The Utah @ NY is one of the key matches featuring #2 in the West visiting #2 in the East.
Utah @ NY 11:30am Saturday
Fraser Hurst gets the start for Utah at scrum half. Quinn Ngawati gets the start for New York at inside centre.
NOLA @ Toronto 1:30pm Saturday
Eric Howard and Lockie Kratz are on the bench for NOLA. For Toronto a number of players starting who will be on that UK tour, Lucas Rumball #7 and Ben LeSage #13, the co-captains. Andrew Quattrin #2, Ross Braude #9, Will Kelly #10, Spencer Jones #12.
Houston @ Atlanta 5pm Saturday
There’s no sign of Matt Heaton in the match day 23 for Atlanta but Conor Keys is starting in the second row. For Houston, Nik Hildebrand gets the start at tighthead, Lucas Albornoz at second row and Rob Povey at #10. Liam Murray is on the Reserves at hooker.
LA @ San Diego 3pm Sunday
DTH starts on the wing for LA and Corey Thomas is on the Reserves. For San Diego, Michael Smith is on the Reserves at flanker.
Austin @ Seattle 5pm Sunday
Travis Larsen gets the start for Seattle at openside after being traded from San Diego. Djustice Sears-Duru and Jake Ilnicki are reserve props.