Anthem RC Falls to Seattle Seawolves, 17-25

SEATTLE, WA (March 29, 2025) – Three consecutive second half scores boosted the Seattle Seawolves over Anthem RC 17-25 on Saturday night. Michael Ma’afu and Jake Turnbull scored tries for Anthem RC in the effort.

The first half was low-scoring and physical. A lot of the play took place in the middle of the pitch as both teams delivered strong collisions and stopped any momentum.

Ma’afu broke the deadlock in the 24th minute and a conversion kick from Mitch Wilson gave the visitors a 7-3 advantage.

Seattle’s Rodney Iona converted a penalty kick in first half extra time, but it was Anthem RC that took the lead to the break.

A strong Anthem possession out of the break resulted in a Seattle penalty and Anthem settled for three points as Wilson nailed the kick in the 50th minute to increase the lead back to seven.

However, shortly after, Seattle took control of the game. The Seawolves scored a minute off the restart and then in the 60th and 65th minute, Divan Rossouw scored a brace to give Seattle a 20-10 lead.

Anthem’s Karl Keane and Seattle’s Mason Pedersen received yellow cards within a minute of each other to put the sides both a man down.

In the 73rd minute, the Seawolves delivered the dagger, taking advantage of an Anthem penalty, improving field position, and scoring their fourth try of the second half to make it 25-10.

Anthem’s Jake Turnbull showed fight, rolling over a pile of Seattle players and into the try zone in the 78th minute and Wilson’s kick made it an eight-point game.

However, Anthem’s comeback attempt fell short on an knock-on and the final whistle blew.

Anthem RC will return to the pitch on Saturday, April 5th at 8:00 pm against NOLA Gold at American Legion Memorial Stadium.

QUOTES:

Coach Alama Ieremia on his team’s performance:

“The biggest difference from the first half to the second half was individually. We probably started missing some of our roles and therefore in defense we started missing some tackles and gave away some easy penalties which allowed them to come into the game. We tried to build momentum, however we couldn’t. We couldn’t compliment ourselves on the opportunities that were presented. That was a big momentum change for the game and we had chase the game in the second half. I’m very proud of the effort of the team, still fighting to the end, but we probably were just too inaccurate at times to execute some opportunities.”