A tradition began Saturday at Tukwila’s Starfire Sports Complex. Seattle rugby fans gathered to watch their new favorite team take the pitch in American rugby’s newest venture. The Seattle Seawolves hit the field looking to take down their second opponent of the week, the Glendale Raptors, and they had the city’s rugby fans full support from start to finish. The crowd was loud and engaged all throughout the match and Major League Rugby’s top 2 teams treated the fans to an excellent battle. Many people who came to the opening weekend match returned six days later, ready and excited to catch another glimpse of American professional rugby yet again.
The game itself saw the Glendale Raptors controlling possession for most of the first half by forcing the Seawolves into unnecessary turnovers, and it quickly became apparent that the Seawolves wouldn’t be able to overpower the Raptors like they had to the San Diego Legion the week before. Rain was a factor as well, leading to many dropped balls and sloppy passes for both teams, resulting in costly turnovers. The Seawolves made a valiant comeback after being down 11-3 at halftime but in the end, the Raptors took down the Seawolves by a score of 19-15. It was a hard-fought and passionate match that didn’t result in a Seattle victory, much to the dismay of many Seattle fans. However, it was plain to see that something really special in Northwest rugby had begun, and this wasn’t lost on the minds of Seattle’s fans. Whether it was kids asking for pictures with Seawolves players after the game or lifelong rugby fans donning ear-to-ear smiles at the sight of watching their favorite sport live for the first time, excitement was definitely in the air. It was a beautiful sight, and a tradition that is sure continue for years to come.
