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The Utah Warriors dealt a hammer blow to the Semi Final chances of the Houston SaberCats as they took a 36-30 win over their hosts at Dyer Stadium on Saturday. Both teams struggled with continuity in the Texas heat with shorts bursts of excitement surrounded by large periods of inactivity.
As they did against the Gold, the SaberCats came out with all guns blazing and Sam Windsor set over the opening points with less than two minutes on the clock. Osea Kolinisau started and finished a brilliant team try, scorching past Utah defenders before offloading and following up to take a return pass from Josua Vici to score under the posts.
Houston’s ability to stay on task for a full 80 minutes had been questioned before the match and they seemed to let up after the Kolinisau try. It was Utah who scored next with two tries in quick succession. The first saw big lock Matt Jensen stretching his legs in a 20-odd meter gallop, the second going to Lance Williams after a bruising run from Paul Lasike. Both were converted by Kurt Morath.
The SaberCats picked up a second try to end the frantic opening with Vici himself finishing in style. Windsor and Morath exchanged penalties as the match slogged its way to the break to make it a three-point home lead to open the second half.
It was Utah who fired first following the intermission. Don Pati struck with a cracking individual effort, stepping back inside and past several would-be tacklers. Windsor replied with a penalty after Alex Tucci was binned for a professional foul. The numerical disadvantage was hardly noticed however as Tonata Lauti stretched through a tackle to score a bonus-point try for the Warriors.
Connor Murphy broke up a monotonous period with an astute break from a scrum that caught the Utah defense by surprise. Windsor’s conversion gave the SaberCats an unlikely lead but the Warriors would have the final say with Lote Tu’ipulotu showing his mobility to find the line and seal the win.
Utah continue their Texas road swing with a Friday night match against Austin Elite in Round Rock. Houston host the Seattle Seawolves at Dyer Stadium on Saturday with a win required if they are to pull off a miracle return to playoff contention.
SCORING
HOUSTON 30
Tries – O. Kolinisau (5’), J. Vici (18’), C. Murphy (62’)
Cons – S. Windsor 3/3 (6’, 19’, 63’)
Pens – S. Windsor 3/3 (2’, 22’, 46’)
UTAH 36
Tries – M. Jensen (9’), L. Williams (13’), D. Pati (43’), T. Lauti (48’), L. Tu’ipulotu (69’)
Cons – K. Morath 4/5 (10’, 14’, 44’, 70’)
Pens – K. Morath 1/1 (37’)
Yellow cards – A. Tucci (46’)
TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Adam Macklin (17 Jake Turnbull 60’), 2 Lindsey Stevens (16 Diego Maquieira 64’), 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Matt Trouville (19 Robert Meeson 72’), 6 Chris Coyle, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Kyle Sumsion (capt.) (20 Pago Haini 64’), 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Dan Paul (22 Joey Iosefa 64’), 14 Malacchi Esdale, 15 Osea Kolinisau
Not used: 18 Petey Hepburn, 21 Chris Slater, 23 Alex Elkins
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Alex Tucci (19 Ray Forrester 70’), 2 Lote Tu’ipulotu, 3 Angus MacLellan (17 Maka Tameilau 70’), 4 Matt Jensen, 5 Saia Uhila, 6 Lance Williams (20 John Cullen HT), 7 Ara Elkington, 8 David Tameilau (17 Maka Tameilau 47’-56’) (18 Les Soloai 60’), 9 Joseph Nicholls (23 Ben Nicholls 60’), 10 Kurt Morath, 11 Tonata Lauti, 12 Paul Lasike (capt.), 13 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 14 Iniki Fa’amausili (22 Vernon Ale 64’), 15 Don Pati
Not used: 16 Tino Mafi, 21 Jonny Linehan
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Assistants: Derek Summers (USAR) & Chris Brown (USAR)
