DC SHUT DOWN ARROWS’ ATTACK
For the 2nd game in a row, Sam Malcolm scored every point for the Arrows. Unfortunately, that statement does not sound anywhere near as awesome following a 29-3 loss. Old Glory DC was led by an outstanding performance from flyhalf Tito Diaz Bonilla as they put up 29 unanswered points to move to 2-2-0 on the year. Old Glory earned a bonus point with tries from Nic Souchon, Marcos Young, William Talataina, and Danny Tusitala.
As the Arrows hit the quarter way mark of their 2023 campaign with a 1-3-0 record, questions and concerns about the attack are beginning to be raised. The Arrows finished 2022 with 414 points for which placed them 11th in MLR. This year, the Arrows 43 points through the first four games is last in the league (ranked after each team’s 4th game). The Arrows have only scored 3 tries in 4 games, have failed to score a try in 2 games, and the forwards have yet to score try. Even Dallas, who still have not won a game in the MLR, managed 8 tries through their first 4 games (which even includes a 22-0 loss to San Diego).
The cause of the low offensive output through the early part of the season seems to be an inability to finish inside the 22. The Arrows had multiple opportunities inside DC’s 22 throughout the match, but could never convert them into points. The execution was lacking as each opportunity came to end due to a knock on, a poor pass, a lost lineout, or a turnover. Credit where it is due, the DC defence was up to the task. The Arrows managed a couple of linebreaks, but were generally held in check and soon looked for a box kick on many possessions.
Mitch Richardson seemed to have the best try scoring opportunity of the match. Following a scrum in the 24th minute, the Arrows were grinding away at the DC line. Richardson ran a hard line, but was tackled into the posts and the ball spilled out. The resulting attacking opportunity following a goalline drop out from DC would end as Tautalatasi Tasi’s pass would not connect with Avery Oitomen and roll into touch. Unfortunately, far too many possessions ended in a similar fashion.
A positive to take from this is that the Arrows are getting to the right parts of the park. This game featured no shortage of opportunities or trips inside the 22. The lack of success seemed to all be related to poor execution and perhaps trying to force an offload when that play isn’t available. The reality that this team faces at the moment is that Sam Malcolm is not going to score 27 points every night. A 1-3-0 record is a tough way to open the season. If the Arrows are going to make a push towards the playoffs, execution inside the 22 is going to be paramount.
Another major factor in this loss was the kicking game of Old Glory DC. Diaz Bonilla was outstanding as he won a number of kicking exchanges in order to control some territory and maximize the advantage gained on penalties. Kurt Baker got the kicking game off to an excellent start for DC as his 50-22 kick ultimately set up the Souchon try. Diaz Bonilla would add another 50-22 that put DC in great position and led to Talatainia’s try. One of the key matchup’s I highlighted in the pre-match article was the halfback battle between the Arrows’ Ross Braude and Malcolm and DC’s Dany Tusitala and Diaz Bonilla. Diaz Bonilla put on a kicking masterclass to control and Tusitala picked up the bonus point try as they led Old Glory to victory.
The Arrows’ pack struggled at times during this match. As mentioned above, there were a few lost lineouts at key moments in the game. The set piece issues were also felt in the scrum as DC looked to have the edge throughout the match. DC’s forwards were firing on all cylinders in the breakdown as they created turnovers and slowed the Arrows’ ball down. The set piece was crucial in the Arrows win over Chicago in week 4, but the pack was unfortuantely unable to replicate that success in DC.
Although the game was tough, there were a handful of cool moments for certain players. Mike Sheppard played in his 50th MLR game becoming the 4th Canadian and 2nd Arrow to reach the milestone. He is now tied with fellow lock Paul Ciulini for most Arrows’ caps. Sheppard will take sole possesion of the club record this weekend against Utah (or whenever the next game he plays is). It was a big week for milestones as Sam Malcolm reached his 40th cap and Mitch Richardson reached 30. The Arrows’ 5th overall pick in the 2022 draft Owain Ruttan made his MLR debut in the 74th minute and it is always great to see more Canadians making their pro debuts.
The Arrows’ will look to get back in the win cloumn next Saturday as they battle the Utah Warriors.