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The Houston SaberCats enjoyed their run-out in Carson as they took a convincing 27-12 win over RFC Los Angeles on Sunday evening. Davy Coetzer played a starring role for the visitors while their forward pack again displayed their power at the set piece to set the platform for success.
It was the home side who were first to the scoreboard. Sustained pressure committed Houston’s defense in the middle of the pitch and opened space out wide. Quick hands down the line found Michael Amiras and he breezed past some weak tackle attempts to score. Dan Hollinshead added two more points with the routine conversion.
Houston’s scrum went to work and earned a penalty, putting the SaberCats quickly into scoring position. Keni Nasoqeqe appeared to breach the line but the try was waved off on review for a knock-on in the build-up. Ronan Murphy then crossed but was judged to be held up. At last the Cats got one that counted, and it was appropriately Nasoqeqe who got the credit after spinning out of a tackle to finish the job. Davy Coetzer leveled the score with the conversion.
The SaberCats looked for all money to be marching towards another score but somehow a desperate LA defense held the line. An ill-advised kick gave the ball away and a penalty gave Niall Saunders all the opportunity he needed. The captain tapped quickly and chipped over Drew Wild, speeding away from the defense to touch down just before the ball rolled dead for a superb individual effort.
LA’s celebrations were short-lived. Wild pulled off his own chip-and-chase and then Coetzer broke free with a show-and-go. He found a galloping Justin Basson in support, and the big second row in turn offloaded to Marno Redelinghuys for the finish. Coetzer added the extras to give Houston a narrow 14-12 halftime lead.
When play restarted a line break from Pita Anae-Ah Sue eventually led to a Coetzer penalty. Tas Smith replaced Saunders and nearly recreated his heroics with a quick tap and kick ahead for Andrew Coe to chase, but the Canadian was a step offside and instead the result was another three-pointer from the boot of Coetzer at the hour mark.
A searing line break from Coetzer looked certain to end in a score for Ronan Murphy but Semi Kunatani came flying across to make a try-saving tackle. The Fijian then sprinted clear from halfway for what looked a marvelous individual effort, only to have the try called back for offside at the ruck.
Coetzer’s kick to the corner set an attacking lineout for the SaberCats. The LA forwards stalled the drive but left the short side completely unguarded for Andre Warner to exploit for a free stroll into the corner. The conversion from Coetzer put the result beyond doubt.
Both teams face a short turnaround with Saturday games next week. The SaberCats return home to face off against the Miami Sharks, and LA plays their first road game of the season against the San Diego Legion at Snapdragon Stadium.
| SCORING |
LOS ANGELES 12
Tries (2) – M. Amiras (8′), N. Saunders (32′)
Cons (1) – D. Hollinshead 1/2 (8′)
HOUSTON 27
Tries (3) – K. Nasoqeqe (18′), M. Redelinghuys (34′), A. Warner (65′)
Cons (3) – D. Coetzer 3/3 (19′, 35′, 66′)
Pens (2) – D. Coetzer 2/2 (46′, 60′)
| LINEUPS |
RFC LOS ANGELES
1 Dane Zander (17 Lincoln Si’i 72′), 2 Ben Strang (16 Bruce Kauika-Petersen 49′), 3 Conor Young (18 Alex Maughan 50′), 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Max Katjijeko (19 Reegan O’Gorman 49′), 6 Michael Amiras, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Jason Damm (20 Semi Kunatani 57′), 9 Niall Saunders (capt.) (21 Tas Smith 55′), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Jack Shaw (23 Austin White 60′), 12 Jason Emery, 13 James Stokes, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Rory van Vugt (22 Sam Walsh 68′)
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth (17 Frikkie de Beer 70′), 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue (16 Seth Smith 73′), 3 Maks van Dyk (18 Pono Davis 60′), 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe (19 Emmanuel Albert 57′), 8 Ronan Murphy (20 Asa Carter 64′), 9 Andre Warner (21 Carlo de Nysschen 70′), 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Jeremy Misailegalu (23 Line Latu 64′), 12 Dom Akina, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Drew Wild (22 Max Schumacher 73′)
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, March 10
Venue: Dignity Health Track Field, Carson
Kickoff: 15:00 local
Weather: sunny, 66°F (19°C), wind W 12-19mph (20-30km/h)
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Kirk Swanner (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
