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Houston are back at the top of the Western Conference after a stunning 33-0 victory over San Diego on Saturday night. It’s the first time in the Legion’s eight-year history they have been shut out, and also sets a new franchise mark for greatest margin of defeat.
The wind was behind the SaberCats in the first half, and Davy Coetzer wisely used his boot to control territory. A scrum penalty went the say of San Diego but Houston turned the ball over and Marno Redelinghuys offloaded to Ronan Murphy for the opening try.
Darcy Breen was issued a yellow card for a no-arms tackle on Keni Nasoqeqe, and a minute later the SaberCats took advantage. Tautalasi Tasi charged ahead to set up Line Latu’s finish into the corner. Soon after San Diego lost another prop, this time for good, as Faka’osi Pifeleti limped off with a leg injury.
The Legion got some go-forward but a wild pass from Josh Henderson landed instead in the arms of Christian Dyer. Another attack ended with Henderson’s chip ahead grounded by Drew Wild in-goal. Just before halftime Houston hooker Tiaan Erasmus was sent off for a dangerous clearout at a ruck, but when San Diego opted for a 5-meter scrum the penalty went against them and the SaberCats cleared to leave it 14-nil at the break.
Despite being shorthanded it was the home side who took the initiative early in the second half. San Diego held out and regained possession but Wild won a turnover to spoil a Greg Peterson line break. Isaac Ross was binned for playing the ball off his feet, and shortly after Murphy had a double as he crashed over from short range.
Two scores in quick succession secured the bonus point and put the game out of sight. Ethan Grayson knocked down a pass from Tasi to Coetzer that resulted in a yellow card and penalty try. Next it was 19-year-old replacement hooker Seth Smith who got on the board on the end of a lineout drive. San Diego pressed for a consolation try but Tupou Afungia was held up in-goal and the Legion were forced to accept their scoreless fate.
Houston are back at the top of the Western Conference after a stunning 33-0 victory over San Diego on Saturday night. It’s the first time in the Legion’s eight-year history they have been shut out, and also sets a new franchise mark for greatest margin of defeat.
The wind was behind the SaberCats in the first half, and Davy Coetzer wisely used his boot to control territory. A scrum penalty went the say of San Diego but Houston turned the ball over and Marno Redelinghuys offloaded to Ronan Murphy for the opening try.
Darcy Breen was issued a yellow card for a no-arms tackle on Keni Nasoqeqe, and a minute later the SaberCats took advantage. Tautalasi Tasi charged ahead to set up Line Latu’s finish into the corner. Soon after San Diego lost another prop, this time for good, as Faka’osi Pifeleti limped off with a leg injury.
The Legion got some go-forward but a wild pass from Josh Henderson landed instead in the arms of Christian Dyer. Another attack ended with Henderson’s chip ahead grounded by Drew Wild in-goal. Just before halftime Houston hooker Tiaan Erasmus was sent off for a dangerous clearout at a ruck, but when San Diego opted for a 5-meter scrum the penalty went against them and the SaberCats cleared to leave it 14-nil at the break.
Despite being shorthanded it was the home side who took the initiative early in the second half. San Diego held out and regained possession but Wild won a turnover to spoil a Greg Peterson line break. Isaac Ross was binned for playing the ball off his feet, and shortly after Murphy had a double as he crashed over from short range.
Two scores in quick succession secured the bonus point and put the game out of sight. Ethan Grayson knocked down a pass from Tasi to Coetzer that resulted in a yellow card and penalty try. Next it was 19-year-old replacement hooker Seth Smith who got on the board on the end of a lineout drive. San Diego pressed for a consolation try but Tupou Afungia was held up in-goal and the Legion were forced to accept their scoreless fate.
The SaberCats are on the road next Saturday for another all-originals clash against the Utah Warriors. For the Legion it’s an extra day to prepare for Sunday’s home game opposite the in-form Dallas Jackals.
| SCORING |
HOUSTON 33
Tries (5) – R. Murphy 2 (13′, 61′), L. Latu (27′), Penalty try (69′), S. Smith (72′)
Cons (4) – D. Coetzer 3/4 (14′, 28′), No kick (69′)
RC (1) – T. Erasmus (40′)
SAN DIEGO 0
YC (3) – D. Breen (26′), I. Ross (57′), E. Grayson (69′)
| LINEUPS |
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth (17 LaRome White 52′), 2 Tiaan Erasmus (16 Seth Smith 60′), 3 Rob Cobb (18 Pono Davis 49′), 4 Justin Basson (20 Tomi Agbongbon 69′), 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe (19 Emmanuel Albert 56′), 8 Ronan Murphy (16 Seth Smith 40′-60′), 9 André Warner (21 Carlo de Nysschen 67′), 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Line Latu, 12 Sam Hill (23 Dom Akina 71′), 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Drew Wild (22 Max Schumacher 73′)
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti (17 Payton Telea-Ilalio 34′), 2 Cyrille Cama (16 Lolenisi Veimau 77′), 3 Darcy Breen (18 Luke Green 62′), 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Greg Peterson (20 Aminae Amiatu-Tanoi 70′), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Finn Kearns (18 Luke Green 26′-36′) (21 Tupou Afungia 56′), 8 Jay Tuivaiti (19 Charlie Hewitt 62′), 9 Connor Tupai (22 Nick Boyer 68′), 10 Josh Henderson, 11 James Vaifale (23 Harris Rutherford 70′), 12 Ethan Grayson, 13 Marcel Brache (capt.), 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Mikey Te’o
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, April 27
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local
Weather: cloudy, 82°F (28°C), wind SE 21-32mph (34-51km/h)
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Derek Summers (USA) & Allen Alongi (USA)
TMO: Mike Kelly (USA)
| HIGHLIGHTS |
