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Houston’s preseason undefeated streak has ended at just one game as CDI Premier League side UBCOB Ravens scored a 26-23 upset over their Major League Rugby hosts at Constellation Field on Saturday evening. Chilly conditions affected ball handling and also attendance, with an initial figure of 2,000 reported. It’s significantly less than the 5,000 plus who showed up to the preseason opener last weekend but still a respectable figure given the circumstances.
The SaberCats got off to a quick start with tries from Zach Pangelinan, Josua Vici, and Justin Allen contributing to an early 17-0 lead. Things then went sour as first Pago Haini and then Jamie Dever were sent to the bin forcing Houston to defend for the best part of 20 minutes.
Former Canadian international Jon Phelan crossed almost immediately following the first card, with Canada ‘A’ cap Adam McQueen adding the first of six successful shots at goal. He would slot a penalty with Haini still off the field to make the halftime score 17-10.
Pangelinan landed his first penalty early in the second half but the Ravens replied with a try through shifty fullback Aaron McLelland. The New Zealander is already being eyed by the Rugby Canada selectors even though he is only halfway through his residency requirements. McQueen was on target with the conversion before adding a penalty goal to draw the scores level heading into the final quarter.
As both teams rang the changes Pangelinan was afforded another kick and he made no mistake to open a precarious three-point lead. Houston’s discipline was not up to scratch, however, and McQueen tied it once more with his third penalty goal. Yet another penalty conceded gave McQueen a chance to win it in the 78th minute and his ambitious kick from halfway paid off, sailing over the crossbar to give the Ravens their first lead of the match.
A desperate attack from the SaberCats in the final seconds went for naught as Vici was bundled into touch to bring up the final whistle. It’s a famous win for the Ravens and a disappointing defeat for Houston, but with seven games left on their preseason schedule ultimately a result that will matter little come opening day on April 21.
SCORING
HOUSTON SABERCATS 23
Tries – Z. Pangelinan (5’), J. Vici (9’), J. Allen (24’)
Cons – Z. Pangelinan 1/3 (25’)
Pens – Z. Pangelinan 2/2 (42’, 66’)
Yellow cards – P. Haini (27’), J. Dever (37’)
UBCOB RAVENS 26
Tries – J. Phelan (28’), A. McLelland (46’)
Cons – A. McQueen 2/2 (29’, 47’)
Pens – A. McQueen 4/4 (36’, 60’, 75’, 78’)
TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Adam Macklin, 4 Justin Allen, 5 Charlie Hewitt, 6 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Art Reyes, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Replacements: 16 Jack Riley, 17 Estevan Florez, 18 Petey Hepburn, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Chris Parker, 21 Chris Slater, 22 Kieran Farmer, 23 Dan Paul
UBCOB RAVENS
1 Curtis Delmonico, 2 Paul Ahn, 3 Dimitri Gotsopoulos, 4 Jon Phelan, 5 Sam Clark, 6 Nick Waggott, 7 Simon Etheve, 8 Karl Moran, 9 AJ King, 10 Harjun Gill, 11 Sean Ferguson, 12 Adam McQueen, 13 Cully Quirke (capt.), 14 Graham Turner, 15 Aaron McLelland
Replacements: 16 Marc Belvedere, 17 Matias Suez, 18 Trystan Clironomos, 19 David O’Donoghue, 20 Kol Henrikson, 21 Ben Grant, 22 Tom McGrath, 23 James Thompson
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Attendance: 2,000
