Match Report: Ironworkers Defeat DC in Mount Vernon

The Ironworkers remain atop the Eastern Conference standings with 10 points while allowing the least number of points in the league through three games.

Watch the Match Highlights here.

FIRST HALF

The Ironworkers continued their tempo-setting scoring with a try two minutes into the game. A quick Jason Emery pass inside the 5-meter line went to Jack Heighton, who ran it in for the game’s first points. At the 10-minute mark, Dylan “The Butcher” Fawsitt drove in for the second try of the game and his second of the season to make it 10-0 Ironworkers. A penalty goal would be the last Ironworkers points of the half giving New York a 13-5 edge.

SECOND HALF

New York’s halftime adjustments changed the game's pace for the second straight week. After allowing a quick penalty goal to start the half, the Ironworkers wouldn’t concede points for the rest of the game. Relentless driving has become part of the Ironworkers' identity. Passing outside of the try zone eventually found the shifty Heighton, who squeezed his way through for his second try of the game at the 49-minute mark. Heighton would continue to be the team’s finisher at the 61-minute mark. After Brendon O’Connor was stopped at the goal line, the ball winded up in the hands of Heighton, who completed the hat-trick with his third try of the game giving New York a 27-8 lead. In the game’s closing minutes, Sam Windsor punched his way through for a try to make the final score 34-8 Ironworkers.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Entering the game looking for his first points on the season, Jack Heighton scored New York’s second hat trick in team history and the 23rd hat trick in league history. Heighton’s 22 points on the season all came in this match, which now puts him tied for fifth in the league for points scored. Outside of the three tries, he had two conversions, a penalty goal, 435 kicking meters and 10 tackles. Heighton did it all throughout the match, making him worthy of this week’s Ironworkers Man of the Match.

ONTO THE NEXT

After a two-game home stretch, New York will travel to The Gold Mine to meet the NOLA Gold, who are still looking for their first win in the new campaign. The game will be this Sunday, March 12th, at 3 pm. To purchase tickets for future Ironworkers matches, click here.

Written by Jason Piccolomini.

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