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Rugby ATL overcame a 13-point first half deficit to score an historic come-from-behind win over the Utah Warriors in their Major League Rugby debut on Sunday afternoon. While the visitors dominated much of the first hour of the match, the home side were decidedly more energetic in the final quarter.
It was a kicking exhibition to start the game as both sides conceded penalties. Hagen Schulte landed the first for Utah just three minutes in, and added a second before Duncan van Schalkwyk replied for ATL. Schulte went one better moments later as the Warriors took an early six point lead.
Utah’s pack won a huge penalty at a scrum in the shadow of their own posts to halt an ATL attack. After a brief hydration break the Warriors worked their way to the first try. Veremalua Vugakoto made good yardage on the left side and then Blake Hohaia stepped through a gap and went over for a seven-pointer.
In danger of being blown out the Atlanta forwards clawed their way back into the game. Kurt Coleman plugged the corner and the lineout drive worked as intended, with Matt Heaton the man to fall over the line for a much-needed try. van Schalkwyk missed the conversion and the 16-8 score held until the half.
The intermission offered Atlanta a chance to regroup and they came out with more fire in their belly in the second half. It was Schulte, however, who struck the first points as the Utah flyhalf landed his fifth successful kick of the afternoon.
ATL’s fortunes shifted dramatically in the 55th minute. With Utah’s defense under pressure Saia Uhila was shown yellow for a cynical foul. Within second Ross Deacon was over, the powerful No8 wrestling over on his second carry of the move after his initial burst from the base of the scrum.
Before Uhila could return the home side went over again. Johan Momsen hit the line at pace and his offload from the deck found a screaming Marno Redelinghuys for a 20 meter gallop to paydirt. Kurt Coleman took over the kicking duties and landed the extras and ATL now had the lead.
The Warriors were back to full strength when van Schalkwyk provided the killer blow. After several phases the scrumhalf dummied and dove over for the bonus point try. Coleman missed the conversion but would tack on a penalty goal on full time to deny Utah a losing bonus point.
Both teams will be away from home next week as Utah heads to Las Vegas for a neutral venue clash against another expansion side, the New England Free Jacks, on Sunday. The ‘Battle of Acronyms’ takes place the same day as ATL head west to meet the NOLA Gold.
SCORING
ATL 28
Tries – M. Heaton (31’), R. Deacon (56’), M. Redelinghuys (63’), D. van Schalkwyk (67’)
Cons – D. van Schalkwyk 0/2, K. Coleman 1/2 (64’)
Pens – D. van Schalkwyk 1/1 (14’), K. Coleman 1/1 (80’)
UTAH 19
Tries – B. Hohaia (21’)
Cons – H. Schulte 1/1 (22’)
Pens – H. Schulte 4/4 (3’, 11’, 16’, 46’)
Yellow cards – S. Uhila (55’)
TEAMS
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski (17 Jamie Ferrante 72’), 2 Alex Maughan, 3 Duane Aholelei (18 Julian Montes 24’-35’) (16 Amro Gouda HT {18 Julian Montes 57’}), 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Conor Keys (19 Stefan Willemse 47’), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Matt Heaton (co-capt.), 8 Ross Deacon (20 Jason Damm 68’), 9 Duncan van Schalkwyk (21 Kurtis Werner 70’), 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Harley Wheeler, 12 Ryan Nell (co-capt.), 13 Jeremy Misailegalu, 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Rory van Vugt (23 Martini Talapusi 76’)
Not used: 22 Austin White
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa 60’), 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Angus MacLellan (18 Kalolo Tuiloma 68’), 4 John Cullen, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Bailey Wilson, 7 Saia Uhila, 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Dwayne Polataivao (capt.), 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 Calvin Whiting, 12 Blake Hohaia, 13 Tyler Fisher (22 Fetu’u Vainikolo 57’), 14 Gannon Moore, 15 Josh Whippy
Not used: 16 Ricky Tu’ihalangingie, 19 Puna Vuli, 20 Charlie Hola, 21 Michael Baska, 23 Robbie Povey
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Henrique Platais (Brazil) & Joe Burpoe (USA)
