Chicago Hounds clinch championship

in The Township of Lyons Chronicle

Two rugby teams engage in a scrum during a match, with players in white and green jerseys pushing against each other on the field.

                                                                                                                                       Photo credit: Claudio Rodriguez – Chief Photographer

By: Alex Murphy – Editor in Chief 

The Chicago Hounds Rugby team defeated DC’S Old Glory, 59-22, in the Major League Rugby (MLR) Semi-final game on June 15 at SeatGeek stadium in Bridgeview, Ill.

Six teams are in the MLR, including the Hounds, Anthem Rugby Carolina, California Legion, New England Free Jacks, Old Glory DC, and Seattle Seawolves. Each team plays 10 regular-season games, where they host and travel to each opponent once. After the regular season wraps up, a four-game playoff tournament takes place. 

Playing their inaugural season in 2023, and securing their first playoff berth a year later in the 2024 season, the Hounds have had a successful first three years. However, in the 2024 playoffs, and again in the 2025 playoffs, the Hounds lost to the Free Jacks in the semi-finals both times. 

Side profile of the Chicago Hounds live dog mascot Simba.
Chicago Hounds live mascot Simba before the game (Photo credit: Claudio Rodriguez)

So after losing in the semi-finals two years in a row, the Hounds came in determined to win against Old Glory and advance to the Championship. Coming in hot, the Hounds put 59 points on the board securing their spot against the California Legion in the championship game on June 21.

Old Glory’s flyhalf Jason Emery scored the first points of the game with a penalty kick. Then, three minutes later, Hounds flyhalf Chris Hilsenbeck put them on the board with his own penalty kick. 

Hilsenbeck would go on to score 12 more points for the Hounds throughout the night, bringing his total to 15 points scored during the semi-final. Later on hooker Theo Fourie scored his 10th try of the season, adding to the Hounds’ lead. 

After 15 minutes into the game, the Hounds were up 10-3; then a few minutes later wing Noah Brown scored his first try of the night, making the Hounds’ lead even greater. After various more points were scored, the Hounds were up 17-3. 

The Hounds scored 14 more points before the halftime whistle blew, making the Hounds have a 28-point advantage going into halftime. With a score of 31-3, the Hounds had a comfortable lead when they started in the second half.

Flanker Mason Flesch scored the first points of the second half. Then, adding to the lead, outside center Tavite Lopeti secured a grubber kick for the Hounds. The Hounds continued to put more points on the board, as they were determined to reach the finals.

In the 58th minute, scrumhalf Ruben De Haas suffered an injury and was replaced by Michael Baska; however, Haas was able to return for the championship game the following Sunday. 

Rugby player kneels to set up a kick during a match, with teammates and goalposts visible in the background.
Chicago Hounds player Santiago Videla prepares to take a conversion kick after a successful try (Photo credit: Claudio Rodriguez – Chief Photographer).

After the second-half water break, the Hounds and Old Glory put more points on the board, making the score 45-10. The Hounds earned its points after a big scrum deep in Old Glory’s end and a successful conversion. Fullback Brock Webster, Baska and Brown then all worked together to secure the Hounds another five points with a try.

In the 71st minute scrumhalf Michael Baska scored his first try of the season, earning the Hounds five more points. Utility back Santiago Videla successfully made a conversion, concluding the Hounds’ scoring for the night at 59 points. 

Before the game was over, Old Glory was able to secure two tries, making the end score 59-22. With almost 60 points, the Hounds were set to play California in the championship game that following Sunday, June 21, at their home field.

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