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Two late tries pulled the Glendale Raptors from the jaws of defeat as they edged the Utah Warriors 36-29 at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday. The result leaves Glendale as the only unbeaten team and four points clear atop the Major League Rugby table.
The Raptors came in as significant favorites but the Warriors showed a steely confidence from the beginning, earning the first shot at goal. Kurt Morath couldn’t make it stick and instead it was Will Magie who took the first points. The Glendale flyhalf played a key role on the first try as well, throwing a monstrous miss pass that put Sam Figg into the corner.
Utah picked up the gauntlet and fired back to level the scores before the break. Morath found his rhythm with a penalty goal and then a conversion on a well-taken try from Angus MacLellan. The prop showed his skill with ball in hand, executing a perfect show-and-go to step back inside and reach over the line.
The first half took its toll on Glendale in more than just anxiety. Casey Rock came off mid-way through leaving the team with no genuine locks on the field, and then Figg was forced to the sidelines after a questionable challenge from Don Pati. The Utah fullback had earlier been chopped down by a picture-perfect Figg tackle in one of the biggest hits of the season.
Another controversial moment came early in the second half when Saia Uhila took out Jake Christmann with what looked to be a dangerous clear-out but the officials didn’t pick it up. When Christmann recovered the Warriors regained possession and Fetu’u Vainikolo powered over to put Utah in the lead.
It looked as though another try was on the cards but an errant pass was picked off and Glendale replied by running the length of the pitch. Harley Davidson had the last touch, the winger weaving through several would-be tacklers to finish the move.
Injury struck again with Kelepi Fifita carted off with a neck injury. Peter Dahl delivered some good news with a try and then both Luke White and Kody O’Neil went off, the Raptors pack now showing three hookers on the pitch and two flankers in the second row.
The Warriors found their second wind and Tonata Lauti struck twice in a span of five minutes. First he showed his pace to slip into the corner, and then outrageous footwork left Maximo de Achaval sprawled on the deck with Lauti clear for a superb individual effort.
As the clock ticked forward the tension increased but somehow Glendale had enough to pull off the great escape. Bryce Campbell hammered through a half-gap to score and then Davidson went on another winding run, evading several tackles to open the door for Mika Kruse to dive into the corner.
The closing moments saw Vainikolo tear into Glendale territory. With their heels dug on to their own goal line the Raptors defense stood tall and somehow repelled repeat Warriors attacks, finally winning a penalty to seal a memorable victory.
Utah will search for their elusive first win at home on Friday when Austin Elite arrive at Salt Lake. Glendale head home to Infinity Park with an extra day of rest before facing the increasingly dangerous San Diego Legion on Sunday.
SCORING
UTAH 29
Tries – A. MacLellan (29’), F. Vainikolo (44’), T. Lauti 2 (63’, 68’)
Cons – K. Morath 3/4 (30’, 45’, 69’)
Pens – K. Morath 1/2 (26’)
GLENDALE 36
Tries – S. Figg (16’), H. Davidson (48’), P. Dahl (58’), B. Campbell (72’), M. Kruse (75’)
Cons – W. Magie 4/5 (17’, 49’, 59’, 73’)
Pens – W. Magie 1/1 (12’)
TEAMS
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Alex Tucci (19 Kory Olsen 69’), 2 Lote Tu’ipulotu (16 Ray Forrester 61’), 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Matt Jensen (17 Maika Hafoka 62’), 5 Saia Uhila, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Ara Elkington, 8 David Tameilau (20 Wineera Elkington 54’), 9 Joseph Nicholls (21 Ben Nicholls 76’), 10 Kurt Morath, 11 AJ Tu’ineau, 12 Paul Lasike (capt.) (22 Paki Afu 65’), 13 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 14 Tonata Lauti, 15 Don Pati (23 Josh Anderson 65’)
Not used: 18 Peni Pahulu
GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Blake Rogers, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Kelepi Fifita (17 Nick Kwasniewski 50’), 4 Casey Rock (19 Kody O’Neil 20’ {18 James Del Bozque 65’}), 5 Luke White (16 Devin Vaughter 59’), 6 Zach Fenoglio (capt.), 7 Peter Dahl, 8 Sam Figg (20 Brian Wanless 39’), 9 Jake Christmann (21 Kevin Lynch 71’), 10 Will Magie, 11 Seth Halliman, 12 Bryce Campbell (23 Ata Malifa 74’), 13 Chad London (22 Mika Kruse 59’), 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Maximo de Achaval
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Assistants: Steve Gore (USAR) & Kage Green (USAR)
