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The Glendale Raptors produced another convincing performance as they downed the Houston SaberCats 37-24 at Infinity Park on Friday evening. In doing so their inevitable qualification for the Major League Rugby Semi Finals is now official, while Houston’s dreams of a miracle recovery are now over.
Within a dozen minutes of the kickoff the Raptors already had 12 points on the board thanks to a pair of Harley Davidson tries. The first came from an inch-perfect cross-field kick from Max de Achaval, the second simple hands creating an overlap on the right side. Davidson nearly had his third after Chris Slater was binned for cynical play at the breakdown. The winger was stopped just short but Dylan Fawsitt was on hand to drive over from short range.
It looked as though the SaberCats might be shut out in the opening period but just before the break they finally found space and Josua Vici did the rest, skating in for a seven-pointer to provide just a glimmer of hope. It was not to be, however, with their window of opportunity already all but shut.
Davidson got his hat trick after all when he intercepted a flat pass from Connor Murphy. Matt Trouville replied for the SaberCats but de Achaval would slam the door shut soon after. The flyhalf some dashed around the defense to find the corner for a try, and then drove the final nail with a timely drop goal.
Two tries from replacement winger Alex Elkins gave Houston fans something to cheer for but also left them wondering where he – and the team’s form – has been for the last seven weeks. With the final whistle sounded the SaberCats were resigned to their fate.
Glendale will now look to secure a perfect regular season when they host the Seattle Seawolves in a battle for first place. Houston have a week off to lick their wounds before traveling to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Warriors with pride on the line and perhaps the opportunity to play a spoiler role.
SCORING
GLENDALE 37
Tries – H. Davidson 3 (6’, 11’, 46’), D. Fawsitt (25’), M. de Achaval (58’)
Cons – M. de Achaval 3/5 (7’, 47’, 59’)
Pens – M. de Achaval 1/2 (71’)
Drop goals – M. de Achaval 1/1 (63’)
HOUSTON 24
Tries – J. Vici (38’), M. Trouville (55’), A. Elkins 2 (65’, 73’)
Cons – S. Windsor 2/4 (39’, 66’)
Pens – S. Windsor 0/1
Yellow cards – C. Slater (24’)
TEAMS
GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Luke White (16 Blake Rogers HT), 2 Dylan Fawsitt (19 Devin Vaughter 63’), 3 Kelepi Fifita (17 Nick Kwasniewski 70’), 4 Casey Rock (20 Brian Wanless 49’), 5 Kody O’Neil, 6 Zach Fenoglio (capt.), 7 Connor Cook, 8 Sam Figg (18 James Del Bozque 70’), 9 Jake Christmann (21 Kevin Lynch 49’), 10 Maximo de Achaval, 11 Mika Kruse (22 John Ryberg 63’), 12 Ata Malifa, 13 Chad London, 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Seth Halliman (23 Nick Johnson 70’)
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Diego Maquieira (16 Gabe Romero 70’), 3 Adam Macklin (18 Jack Riley 66’), 4 Charlie Hewitt (19 Robert Meeson 66’), 5 Matt Trouville, 6 Chris Coyle (20 Chris Parker 70’), 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 9 Chris Slater (21 Connor Murphy 45’), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici (23 Alex Elkins 63’), 12 Joey Iosefa (22 Conor Mills 45’), 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Malacchi Esdale, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Not used: 17 Petey Hepburn
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Chris Assmus (RC)
Assistants: Adam Leal (RFU) & Steve Gore (USAR)
