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USA Rugby Men's D1 2014-2015 standings - week 2

Team (Rank Change)WinLossDrawStreakPFPA+/-BT*BL**Points
Metropolis (Minneapolis, MN) 2 0 0 2W 91 43 48 2 0 10
Lions (Chicago, IL) 1 1 0 1L 74 50 24 2 1 7
Barbarians (Milwaukee, WI) 1 0 0 1W 32 15 17 1 0 5
Blues (Kansas City, MO)
1 0 0 1W 29 19 10 1 0 5
Dragons (Davenport, IA) 1 1 0 1W 55 63 -8 1 0 5
Wolfhounds (Cincinnati, OH) (up-arrow-green-16x16px+2) 1 1 0 1W 48 60 -12 1 0 5
Griffins (Chicago, IL) (down-arrow-red-16x16px-1) 0 2 0 2L 48 80 -34 1 0 1
Scioto Valley (Columbus, OH) (down-arrow-red-16x16px-1) 0 2 0 2L 31 76 -45 0 0 0

* A bonus point is awarded for each match in which the team scores 4 tries or more. 
** A bonus point is awarded for each match in which the team loses by 7 or less.

Week 2 of the Men's Midwest Division 1 competition had just 3 matches. The script went exactly as we predicted last week and saw a shake up at the bottom of the table. 

The Wolfhounds went into this week's match knowing that home-field advantage versus a traveling Scioto Valley side was their best chance chance to snag a win early in the season. And the hosts made the most of the opportunity with a convincing 36-16 victory. The result moves Cincinnati up 2 full places to 6th in the standings. 

Metropolis — on the road in Chicago — unloaded all their offensive weapons against a determined Griffins side who themselves had no trouble scoring. The soft defense on both sides led to a high scoreline of 48-31 for the visitors. The win gives Metropolis some buffer at the top of the table whereas the Griffins — despite the 4-try bonus-point — fall to 7th due to the Wolfhounds/Scioto Valley result.

In the closest and most exciting match of the day, the Lions travelled to Davenport, Iowa to take on the Dragons who were on the hunt for their first win of the year. At halftime, the score was 24-6 for the hosts with the Lions unable to cross the whitewash. With 15 minutes remaining, the margin for the Dragons had extended considerably to 36-13. But the Lions surged late with a hat trick in the closing minutes for a quick 21 unanswered points. But the clock was against the visitors and the Dragons held on for the win, 36-34. The high-scoring and close match yielded 2 bonus points for the Lions but did not result in any change in the standings. 

Week 3 preview (13-Sep-2014)

Three matches are scheduled this week with byes for the Dragons and — for the second straight week — the Blues.

The 2nd-ranked Lions host the 6th-ranked Wolfhounds. Despite their success in week 2, we don't expect the Cincinnati outfit to be able to contain the Lions' offense. Prediction: confident win for the Lions.

In Columbus, OH, Scioto Valley are hosting the Griffins. The Griffins struggled to score on the road in week 1, and so this match is a great opportunity for the hosts to get back to their winning ways in this 7 vs 8 matchup. Prediction: close match with the Griffins coming out on top.

In perhaps the most anticipated match of the week, the Barbarians will make the long trip to Minneapolis to take on Metropolis. Both teams are looking strong this year but — despite the travel — the Barbarians will arrive well-rested after a bye in week 2. The Barbarians have the offense tools to be victorious, but will have to play sublime defense to be competitive in front of what we expect to be a large crowd Metropolis fans as the hosts celebrate "Family Day". Prediction: toss-up.  

  • Lions (Home) vs. Wolfhounds
  • Metropolis (Home) vs. Barbarians
  • Scioto Valley (Home) vs. Griffins

Scores, Week 2 (6-Aug-2014)

  • Griffins (Home) 31 - 48 Metropolis
  • Palmer (Home) 36 - 34 Lions
  • Wolfhounds (Home) 36 - 17 Scioto Valley

Scores, Week 1 (30-Aug-2014)

  • Metropolis (Home) 43 - 12 Wolfhounds
  • Lions (Home) 40 - 14 Scioto Valley
  • Barbarians (Home) 32 - 15 Griffins
  • Blues (Home) 29 - 19 Dragons