Warriors down Legion in MLR classic

In a crucial MLR Western Conference match, the Utah Warriors played host to the San Diego Legion this evening. The contest was back-and-forth for the duration; it was a try fest with twelve visits into the try zone. The Warriors came back from 17 points down to win a candidate of MLR match of the season at the death.

The visitors came out firing. With go-forward momentum from the forwards the Californians charged over for an early try. Following a series of raids, Faka’osi Pifeleti charged his way into the try zone. His early score was converted.

The Utah Warriors looked to hit-back immediately. They got deep into opposition territory and were within range of scoring. The home side decided against kicking for goal. A kick for the corner had them moving forward and threatening. A handling error on the floor from Michael Baska let the Legion off easily.

The lesson was learned; in their next raid inside the Legion’s 22, the Warriors took the points. Inside center Calvin Whiting got the Warriors on the board. His penalty made it 7-3 in the final minute of the opening quarter.

The Legion had the better of play after the hydration break. The team got itself deep into Warriors territory. Referee JP Doyle awarded three penalties on the five meter line. The third saw the Legion capitalizing with their second try. It was the second of the season for Dean Muir; the hooker touched down following a lineout and rolling maul. Joe Pietersen converted to make it 14-3.

It took 37 minutes for Utah to score. The try was worth the wait. Rapid passing down the left resulted in Thomas Tu’avao getting the ball towards the 22. He showed pace and good feet movement to side-step Cameron Clark and touch down in the try zone. Whiting converted to make it a four point deficit in the final scoring movement in the opening half.

The second half saw early points from both teams. First, Pietersen landed a 41st minute drop-goal. Second, the Warriors scored through Jurie van Vuuren. The South African No8 got the ball on a good angle to score under the posts. With it the scores were level at 17-17.

The Legion responded with a 60 meter try. Thomas Moroni combined with Bjorn Basson. Speed and precision passing got the Legion their try. The second touch from the Argentine saw him going the distance to score. Minutes later he went from scorer to provider, linking with Cameron Clark. The winger fooled the defense with three Warriors tangled as he scored.

Utah were 12 points down but far from out. Inspiration captain Mike Te’o took it upon himself with a quick tap penalty. The forwards were on hand to recycle and move to within meters of the try zone. Olive Kilifi then scored from a pick-and-go.

The twist and turns continued. Morani featured for the third consecutive Legion try, claiming his second try assist. He made a clean break and linked with inside center Tiaan Loots. Their teammates looked to add to the Argentine-South African combinations. Santiago González Iglesias linked with Bjorn Basson for the Legion’s sixth try and second in three minutes.

The determined Warriors fought their way into the opposition try zone. Te’o and replacement hooker Chad Gough both scored to reduce the scoring to a 41-38 deficit with six minutes remaining. The comeback from 17 points behind was completed in the final seconds with James Vaifale scoring. As was the case, last week against the Seattle Seawolves, the Warriors broke the hearts of their opposition.

The Legion return home for the battle of California next weekend; the host the LA Giltinis at Torero Stadium. The Utah Warriors have a road trip to the east to face Rugby United New York.

 

SCORING

UTAH 45
Tries – T. Tu’avao (37′), J. van Vuuren (43′), O. Kilifi (55′), M. Te’o (67′), C. Gough (72′), J. Vaifale (80′)
Cons – C. Whiting 4/4 (38′, 56′, 73′, 80′), No kick 2 (43′, 67′)
Pens – C. Whiting 1/1 (18′)

SAN DIEGO 41
Tries – F. Pifeleti (7′), D. Muir (27′), T. Morani (47′), C. Clark (51′), T. Loots (59′), B. Basson (62′)
Cons – J. Pietersen 4/6 (8′, 28′, 48′, 63′)
Drop goals – J. Pietersen 1/2 (41′)
Yellow cards – C. de Nysschen (50′)

 

TEAMS

UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Olive Kilifi 52′), 2 Veremalua Vugakoto (16 Chad Gough 56′), 3 Paul Mullen (18 Angus MacLellan HT), 4 Aston Fortuin, 5 Matt Jensen (19 Saia Uhila 60′), 6 Thomas Tu’avao (20 Mike Gieselman 60′), 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Michael Baska (21 Fraser Hurst 67′), 10 Hagen Schulte (22 Cliven Loubser 56′), 11 Josh Whippy, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher (23 James Vaifale 67′), 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Mike Te’o

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Nathan Sylvia 52′), 2 Dean Muir (16 Peter Malcolm 52′), 3 Paddy Ryan (18 Chris Baumann 52′), 4 Joshua Furno, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Psalm Wooching (19 Jasa Veremalua 67′), 7 Chris Robshaw (21 Michael Smith 56′), 8 Tevita Tameilau (20 Keni Nasoqeqe HT), 9 Carlo de Nysschen (22 Ethan McVeigh 60′), 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Cameron Clark (capt.), 15 Santiago González Iglesias (23 Cecil Afrika 71′)

*22 Ethan McVeigh came off with a head injury at 75 minutes and a replacement was not permitted by the officials. San Diego completed the game with 14 players.

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Niku Kruger (USA)