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Austin has finally cracked the code. The Gilgronis earned their first win as a franchise since June 2018, taking a 24-20 result over the SaberCats in Houston to claim the Texas Cup. It ends a stretch of 22 winless games that included only a solitary draw two weeks ago against Utah.
The first half hour was all Houston. Just seven minutes in Rodrick Waters was sent to the bin for killing the ball on a line break. From the ensuing lineout the initial drive was stuffed, but a second was deemed to have been taken down illegally and the referee awarded a penalty try.
Just five minutes later and the SaberCats were in again. They attacked from their own end, exploiting the space where Waters would have been. Sam Windsor put in a speculative grubber that ricocheted off an Austin defender and bounced perfectly for the flyhalf to touch down in-goal. He converted his own try to make it 14-nil to the home side.
Another searing breakout by Tiaan Loots took Houston out beyond halfway. Quick ball led them all the way to Austin’s goal line but Adriaan Booysen was held up in-goal. They would eventually settle for a Windsor penalty to stretch the lead.
Austin finally got in the game after Diego Magno was binned for a side entry at a ruck in scoring position. They made quick work of the advantage as Tiaan Erasmus drove in from close range. Kurt Morath’s first points as a Gilgroni made the score 17-7.
Houston looked for all money to be in for another try just ahead of halftime as Zach Pangelinan broke clean through the midfield on a set move from a scrum. He failed to pass to the open Matías Freyre on his left, however, and the cover defense arrived just in time to prevent the score and preserve the 10-point gap heading into halftime.
The Gilgronis came out a rejuvenated side after the break. They put their hosts under immediate pressure and within a couple minutes Mason Pedersen burrowed in for a try. As Morath was helped to the sidelines with a rib injury, Rodrigo Silva stepped in for the conversion and another new signing stepped onto the field in Eagles international Will Magie.
There was no disruption with the change at flyhalf. Magie turned down a kickable penalty in favor of the corner and the gamble paid off. Austin’s drive worked a charm and it was Erasmus who went over for his second of the match. Magie’s conversion suddenly had the Gilgronis ahead by four.
Windsor and Magie exchanged penalties ahead of the hydration break. The final quarter was a stalemate until Houston were given an attacking lineout deep in Austin territory.
Diego Fortuny’s throw found its target but the maul was sacked and the SaberCats committed a terrible blunder. Fortuny retained the ball but there were two teammates ahead and the referee duly called an obstruction. The Gilgronis would not relinquish possession, grinding down the clock until Cowley belted the ball into the stands to end the game.
Once the celebrations have finished, Austin will begin preparations for their next challenge at home against San Diego on Sunday. Houston will need to find hidden inspiration for their road match against the New England Free Jacks on Saturday.
SCORING
HOUSTON 20
Tries – Penalty try (9’), S. Windsor (14’)
Cons – S. Windsor 1/1 (15’)
Pens – S. Windsor 2/2 (27’, 52’)
Yellow cards – D. Magno (29’)
AUSTIN 24
Tries – T. Erasmus 2 (32’, 47’), M. Pedersen (43’)
Cons – K. Morath 1/1 (33’), R. Silva 1/1 (44’), W. Magie 1/1 (48’)
Pens – W. Magie 1/1 (55’)
Yellow cards – R. Waters (7’)
TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo (17 Nicolás Solveyra 44’), 2 Diego Fortuny, 3 Boyd Wiggins (18 Tim Cadwallader 71’), 4 Kyle Breytenbach, 5 Robert Meeson (19 Van Stewart 65’), 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Diego Magno, 8 Adriaan Booysen (20 Cecil Garber 68’), 9 De Wet Roos (capt.) (22 Zachary Short 77’), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Tim Stanfill, 12 Tiaan Loots (21 Taylor Howden 68’), 13 Matías Freyre, 14 Zach Pangelinan (23 Malacchi Esdale 71’), 15 Osea Kolinisau
Not used: 16 Gabe Romero
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Tiaan Erasmus (16 Brendan Rams 69’), 3 Mason Pedersen (17 Juan Echeverría 69’), 4 Potu Leavasa, 5 Maikeli Naromaitoga (19 Luca Tani 61’), 6 Dominic Akina, 7 Moe Abdelmonem, 8 Lino Saunitoga, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Kurt Morath (capt.) (22 Will Magie 44’), 11 Rodrick Waters (23 Sione Fangaiuiha 69’), 12 Gabe Farley, 13 Frank Halai, 14 Corey Jones, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Not used: 18 LaRome White, 20 Stewart Morris, 21 Marcelo Torrealba
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Joey Swatzell (USA) & Greg Varnell (USA)
