NEWS

News Jun-24-2018

Warriors Earn Playoff Berth With Comeback Victory Over SaberCats

By: Colton Strickler, MLR Correspondent

Photo: Aaron Cornia

The Utah Warriors, propelled by two late tries, defeated the Houston SaberCats 31-27 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the inaugural Major League Rugby Playoffs.

With the fourth and final playoff spot on the line, the Warriors (3-5) needed to find a way to earn a point in Saturday’s match against the SaberCats (1-7). If they didn’t earn at least a bonus point, Austin Elite Rugby would take the fourth place and advance to the MLR playoffs.

With so much on the line, the Warriors didn’t take any chances. They scored five tries to defeat the SaberCats outright, but it was far from an easy accomplishment.

In their largest game of the season, it was the Warriors who got the scoring started when wing Tonata Lauti took an inside ball from inside centre A.J. Tuineau in for the first try of the match. Fly-half Jonny Linehan converted to give the Warriors a 7-0 lead 11 minutes into the match.

The SaberCats weren’t going to just let the Warriors walk into the final playoff spot. They answered back with a try of their own just a few minutes later when fullback Zach Pangelinan broke through the line and zipped a pass between the hands to two Warrior defenders to flanker Cecil Garber who finished the run. Fly-half Sam Windsor added the conversion to tie the game at seven heading into the first hydration break.

Houston took their first lead of the match when Windsor nailed a penalty goal on the other side of the hydration break, but the Warriors responded with a try when Saia Uhila rumbled into the in-goal on a pick and go in the 32nd minute. Linehan couldn’t hit the tough conversion, but the Warriors settled into a 12-10 lead.

A rare Windsor miss on a penalty goal prevented the SaberCats from retaking the lead, but he made up for right before halftime when he received the ball out of the back of the scrum, threw a dummy, and punched it in for a try himself. Windsor kicked his own conversion to give the SaberCats a 17-12 lead heading into the half.

Houston again had the chance to extend their lead to eight points, but after just missing two penalty goals all season, Windsor missed his second penalty goal of the day and the Warriors made him pay.

Utah flanker Arawa Elkington took a pick and go in for a try just a few minutes later, and Linehan’s conversion made it 19-17.

The SaberCats answered with a penalty goal and took a 20-19 lead into the second hydration break.

Houston kept the points coming on the other side of the hydration break when outside centre Osea Kolinisau took a pass with a full head of steam untouched in for a try. Windsor’s conversion gave the SaberCats an eight-point lead with only fifteen minutes to play. With the clock ticking on their playoff hopes, the Warriors were going to have to get to work.

They answered just three minutes later when prop Alexander Tucci bullied his way through several SaberCats before diving into the in-goal, putting the cap on a long scoring run. Ben Nicholls kicked the conversion to bring the Warriors to within just one point. Having locked up the four-try bonus point, the Warriors set their sights on the win.

They notched their final try in the 72nd minute when wing Fetu’u Vainikolo sliced through the Houston defense before delivering a backhanded flick to Lauti down the touchline who took it in for his second try of the match and putting the stamp on the match. Lauti’s League-leading eighth try gave Utah the 31-27 win.

With 22 points, the Warriors finished the regular season in fourth place and will take on the first place Glendale Raptors in the MLR playoffs on Saturday, June 30 at Infinity Park. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.

Houston finished the season in seventh place with 11 points. With 103 points on the season and 19 more points than the next closest player, Sam Windsor was Major League Rugby’s leading scorer.