The Seattle Seawolves scored a last-minute try to claim a 26-23 victory over the San Diego Legion in the US Major League final on Sunday.
The Seawolves, captained by No 8 Riekert Hattingh, were able to successfully defend their title they had won in the inaugural year of the competition in 2018.
Hattingh went over in the second half for one of the Seawolves’ three tries just as the game seemed to be getting beyond them.
Scrumhalf JP Smith and hooker Stephan Coetzee scored the other two tries for the Seawolves in the first half as they took a 14-6 lead into half-time.
#TryTime! Trick lineout finds Smith at speed to dot it down.
14-6, Seawolves, 33′#SDLvSEA #MLRCS pic.twitter.com/T6jyDVj8LM
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 16, 2019
Try! Naikatini ➡️ Coetzee for the Seawolves.
7-6, Seawolves, 23′#SDLvSEA #MLRCS pic.twitter.com/2tuWt5ROy6
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 16, 2019
It was a heartbreaking loss for San Diego, who thought they had done enough to win their maiden title when flyhalf Joe Pietersen, who also kicked two penalties and two conversions, slotted a drop goal in the final 10 minutes of the match to put them 23-19 ahead.
Trophy time!@Seawolves_Rugby receives the @USMLR Shield for the second-straight season and the celebration is on. pic.twitter.com/23Ny554GU0
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) June 16, 2019
Photo: Griff Lacey/Major League Rugby
