Anthem RC Drop Tight Match to Old Glory DC, 22-26

GERMANTOWN, MD (March 8, 2025) – Anthem RC fell just short in a second straight nail biter Saturday afternoon, losing on the road to Old Glory DC 22-26 in windy conditions in the nation’s capital. Junior Gafa, Connor Mooneyham, and Connor Robinson found the try zone for Anthem RC in the loss.

It was clear from the beginning that the wind would play a factor, specifically on kicks and line outs. With the wind at their back for the first half, Anthem RC struck first.

After managing to get the ball down the field into Old Glory DC territory, Line Latu converted a penalty kick to give the visitors an early 3-0 lead in the 10th minute.

Anthem proceeded to extend their lead with a gorgeous score. A Karl Keane cross-field pass cut open Old Glory’s defense, sending Makeen Alikhan into space. The move finished with a final pitch back to Gafa, who scored his first try of the season. Latu knocked the kick through the posts and Anthem held a 10-0 lead.

After Old Glory thought they had cut the score in half with a score from Damien Hoyland in the 18th minute, the TMO called the try back due to a high tackle from Joe Wrafter, sending Old Glory’s #1 to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

Despite a strong defensive first 20 minutes from Anthem RC, Old Glory DC scored their first try of the game in the 23rd minute. Old Glory newcomer Nick Grigg broke an Anthem tackle and downed it between the posts to make the score 10-7.

Old Glory made it 14 unanswered points down a man three minutes later as Grigg set up Ethan McVeigh with a highlight-reel behind the head pitch.

Anthem had a response of their own in the 30th minute. An Old Glory DC turnover set Anthem on their way as Gafa quickly countered, pitched it to Mooneyham on the outside, and the wing showcased his speed, taking it the distance and giving Anthem the lead again 15-14.

After Clivan Loubser set Anthem RC up in excellent field position with a nifty chip kick, an Old Glory DC penalty gave Anthem RC a line out from just outside the try zone. Strong work from Sam Golla pushed the pile near the try line and Robinson touched down for the score in the 37th minute. Loubser attempted his first kick of the season and the Namibian international drilled the kick from a difficult angle, extending the lead to 22-14.

The two sides headed to the locker rooms with the away team ahead by 8 points, seeking their first win in franchise history.

The beginning of the second half was filled with penalties from both teams, not allowing for any sort of momentum. Anthem’s defense, maligned heading into the matchup due to 17 tries against in the first three matches, was clogging many of Old Glory DC’s attacking holes.

Loubser had an attempt at another three points with a deep kick from straight away, but it fell off to the right.

A yellow card from Old Glory’s Jack Iscaro gave Anthem another 10 minute man advantage, but once again, down a man, Old Glory went on the attack.

A try from the hosts in the 61st minute with a missed conversion cut the lead to three. Eight minutes later, Robertson set up Old Glory close to Anthem’s try line with an kick to touch and Logan Weidner fought his way into the try zone to give Old Glory their second lead of the game. Robertson knocked through a vital conversion for a four-point lead.

The hosts scored all 26 of their points down a man.

The final ten minutes featured Anthem battling to find a score. Old Glory cleared their lines multiple times via kick. Before time expired, Gafa nearly broke through from his own territory, but Old Glory found a way to bring him down.

A final scrum in the last minute went the way of the hosts and the game finished 22-26 in a second consecutive closely-fought effort for Anthem RC.