Houston beat DC in scorching record-setting contest

The Houston SaberCats are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot after defeating Old Glory DC in a wild 59-41 contest on Saturday. It’s the first match in Major League Rugby history to top the century mark in combined points, with Dean Muir’s four-try performance also a single-game record.

Segra Field may well have produced another record with the pitch reaching a blazing-hot 109°F (43°C). The heat combined with the pace of the game left players gasping for air, and certainly contributed to gaps in defense around the pitch.

Early penalties from DC gave Houston an attacking lineout just two minutes into the game. The ensuing maul came close and Muir dove in from short range. At the other end DC earned the same opportunity and when their drive stalled, William Talataina picked and drove over the line to make it even.

A red card card was suddenly brandished when Api Naikatini landed a punch to Dillon Smit’s face in clear view of the referee. Again it was a lineout drive try for Muir, and again Old Glory replied. Smit’s box kick went straight up in the air and was regathered by Cory Daniel, with Renata Roberts-Te Nana in support bursting clear to score.

Rohan Saifoloi rang a penalty attempt off the post just ahead of the hydration break. When play resumed the SaberCats were stung by another mishap. David Coetzer tried to chip over the defense from his own end but the ball landed in DC’s hands and Peni Lasaqa was soon racing free to give Old Glory the lead.

Coetzer made up for his mistake with a looping over-the-top pass for Robbie Povey to score in the corner. Fintan Coleman was then binned for a high tackle leaving Old Glory with only 13 men for 5 minutes, during which Muir would score his hat trick. This time he broke from the back of the maul and found a gap in the shorthanded defense.

After a halftime breather the two sides continued to trade shots. Felix Kalapu saw yellow for driving early at a maul in scoring position, and shortly after Muir was in for his fourth. Like clockwork DC were next to score on a hard line from William Talataina after several phases tired the SaberCats defense.

More space opened up for Old Glory and Roberts-Te Nana stepped back across the line to put the home side ahead. Houston responded via Smit from close range. Replacements began to stream into the match to bring relief to tired bodies.

Roberts-Te Nana stepped past two, and then Junior Sa’u bumped off two more to score a go-ahead try for the home side with 10 minutes to play. It wasn’t to be, however, as Louritz van der Schyff busted through the line to put the visitors back up.

With time running down Nick Boyer slipped through off the edge of a ruck to put the result beyond doubt. A final attack from Old Glory ended with Matai Leuta intercepting and running half the pitch to touch down under the posts with time expired.

Houston are now just two points away from securing third place in the Western Conference and can claim their postseason ticket against the Seawolves in Seattle on Friday night. Old Glory play their final home game of the season against New York on Sunday.

SCORING

DC 42
Tries – W. Talataina 2 (7′, 52′), R. Roberts-Te Nana 2 (14′, 57′), P. Lasaqa (21′), J. Sa’u (70′)
Cons – R. Saifoloi 5/5 (8′, 15′, 22′, 58′, 71′), No kick (52′)
Pens – R. Saifoloi 0/1
YC – F. Coleman (26′), F. Kalapu (44′)
RC – A. Naikatini (11′)

HOUSTON 59
Tries – D. Muir 4 (3′, 12′, 30′, 48′), R. Povey (24′), D. Smit (62′), L. van der Schyff (74′), N. Boyer (79′), M. Leuta (80’+1′)
Cons – D. Coetzer 5/6 (4′, 13′, 25′, 31′, 63′), R. Povey 1/2 (75′), No kick (80’+1′)

TEAMS

OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro (18 Will Vakalahi 71′), 2 Mo Katz (16 Rob Irimescu 50′), 3 Jake Ilnicki (17 Kyle Stewart 50′), 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Api Naikatini (19 Felix Kalapu 31′), 6 Dom Bailey (20 Dacoda Worth 68′), 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Fintan Coleman (20 Dacoda Worth 36′-39′), 9 Danny Tusitala (capt.) (21 John LeFevre 71′), 10 Rohan Saifoloi, 11 John Rizzo (22 Doug Fraser 60′), 12 Junior Sa’u (23 Owen Sheehy 75′), 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Renata Roberts-Te Nana

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Alec McDonnell (17 Frikkie de Beer 58′), 2 Dean Muir (capt.) (16 Diego Fortuny 71′), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (18 Pono Davis 58′), 4 Marno Redelinghuys (19 Will Crawford 64′), 5 Siaosi Mahoni (20 Emmanuel Albert 50′), 6 Gideon van Wyk, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe, 8 Malon Al-Jiboori, 9 Dillon Smit (21 Nick Boyer 71′), 10 David Coetzer (23 Kian Meadon 66′), 11 Marcos Moroni, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 13 Christian Dyer, 14 Zach Pangelinan (22 Matai Leuta 60′), 15 Robbie Povey

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Aaron Davis (USA) & Craig Sakowski (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)