A run of 24 consecutive points lifted Old Glory DC to a crucial 27-14 win over NOLA GOLD in Fairfax on Tuesday night.
The win, which included a four-try bonus point, vaults OGDC to third in the Eastern Conference Standings with four matches left to play.
Tuesday’s game saw both teams struggle early to adjust to the slick conditions the rainy evening provided. Each team had lineouts deep in opposition territory, but turnovers and penalties stymied both teams’ chances.
It wasn’t until the 23rd minute when Jason Emery’s penalty kick broke the scoreless deadlock and put Old Glory DC up 3-0, capping off a possession that included a critical OGDC scrum.
Only two minutes later, NOLA’s Luke Carty missed a penalty kick of his own, but a 26th minute penalty try gave the GOLD their first lead. Only six minutes later, crisp ball movement led to Julian Roberts turning on the jets and scoring again for NOLA. Carty’s conversion, from nearly the same spot as the missed penalty, was successful this time, and NOLA built their lead to 14-3.
The end of the first half saw substantial Old Glory possession. After a NOLA yellow card in the shadow of their own try zone, Facundo Gattis lowered his shoulder and powered in for the first try of OGDC’s night, only three minutes before the halftime whistle. Emery’s conversion missed, and the hosts went to the break down 14-8.
Despite trailing on the scoreboard at halftime, the signs for an Old Glory comeback were certainly foreshadowed in the first 40 minutes – OGDC led the possession battle 59-41, and the territorial battle 58-42.
Just after halftime, Old Glory capitalized on their statistical advantages. In just the 42nd minute, an incisive run put OGDC on the precipice of the try zone, and Cory Daniel put the ball down for a score. Emery’s successful conversion restored Old Glory’s lead, which they wouldn’t relinquish the rest of the night.
NOLA had another opportunity to retake the advantage, but Carty’s second penalty kick miss gave possession back to Old Glory. OGDC made the most of it, and a clever offload from Gattis to Nick Grigg gave the hosts another try. After Emery’s conversion, the scoreboard read 22-14.
Gattis, who led the match with 10 points, got his second try in the 68th minute, converting on a lineout to extend the OGDC lead further and clinch the critical bonus point in the Eastern Conference standings. Although Emery couldn’t secure the conversion, the lead was 27-14.
Scrum-half Connor Buckley continued to play a pivotal role facilitating the Old Glory attack. His match-high 51 passes takes him into 5th in MLR in that category.
OGDC’s stingy late defense proved enough to hold off the visitors’ comeback bid. A late try attempt by NOLA was disallowed after review, and the hosts secured their sixth victory of 2025.
Old Glory will look for their third consecutive win on Sunday when they travel to Charlotte to face Anthem RC.
