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A fast start and strong finish saw the SaberCats past the Seawolves 24-21 in Houston on Saturday night. Seattle gave their hosts a a stern challenge and even held a lead past the 70th minute, but ran out of steam while two red cards ended any hope of stealing a win on the road.
From the outset the home side were on the attack. Dom Akina followed up his center-mate Tautalatasi Tasi, ripping and spinning over for the opening try with fans still making their way to their seats. Eddie Fouché missed his first shot at goal, and the SaberCats truck again when Davy Coetzer offloaded to Rufus McLean to make it 14-nil with just 11 minutes up on the clock.
Another fierce attack from the Cats had the Seawolves on the retreat, but this time they held on and cleared their lines. At least the visitors got an opportunity with sustained possession and Huw Taylor punched over with Fouché’s extras making it a full seven. Neither team would score in the remaining minutes before halftime.
Seattle looked certain to score early in the second half but Rodney Iona’s pass intended for Mika Kruse instead bounced into touch. The pressure stayed on and Kerron van Vuuren went over from the back of a maul for a try on debut. AJ Alatimu took three points with the boot to nudge Houston back in front, but the Seawolves took the lead when Devin Short slid over on an inside line from close range.
Pago Haini received his marching orders in the 72nd minute when the TMO determined he had targeted the knee of LaRome White in a chop tackle. A minute later Pita Anae-Ah Sue scored on a lineout drive to put the Cats back on top by three. With Seattle advancing the TMO then singled out Njabulo Gumede for a dangerous clearout on Johan Momsen, and a second red came from the referee’s pocket. With only 13 men on the pitch there was no late comeback on the cards for the Seawolves.
Both teams return to action in one week’s time. Houston face a difficult road trip Utah where the in-form Warriors await at Zions Bank Stadium. Despite playing at home Seattle’s task isn’t much easier with the defending champion Free Jacks making their way from New England.
| SCORING |
HOUSTON 24
Tries (3) – D. Akina (3′), R. McLean (11′), P. Anae-Ah Sue (73′)
Cons (3) – A. Alatimu 3/3 (4′, 12′, 74′)
Pens (1) – A. Alatimu 1/1 (50′)
SEATTLE 21
Tries (3) – H. Taylor (23′), K. van Vuuren (47′), D. Short (55′)
Cons (3) – E. Fouché 3/3 (24′, 48′, 56′)
Pens (0) – E. Fouché 0/1
RC (2) – P. Haini (72′), N. Gumede (78′)
| LINEUPS |
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo (17 LaRome White 53′), 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Pono Davis (18 Michael Scott 53′), 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.) (19 Justin Basson 56′), 6 Emmanuel Albert (20 Keni Nasoqeqe 56′), 7 Marno Redelinghuys (21 Ronan Murphy 56′), 8 Sam Tuifua, 9 André Warner (22 Juan-Dee Oliver HT), 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Max Schumacher, 12 Dom Akina, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi (23 Jeremy Misailegalu 53′), 14 Rufus McLean, 15 Davy Coetzer
Not used: 16 Seth Smith
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Cameron Orr (17 Chance Wenglewski 64′), 2 Kerron van Vuuren (16 Dewald Kotze 64′), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (18 Njabulo Gumede 53′), 4 Rhyno Herbst (capt.), 5 Siaosi Mahoni (19 Isaia Lotawa 43′), 6 Huw Taylor, 7 Devin Short (3 Juan Pablo Zeiss 79′), 8 OJ Noa (20 Pago Haini 68′), 9 JP Smith, 10 Eddie Fouché, 11 Mika Kruse (22 Jade Stighling 58′), 12 Rodney Iona, 13 Divan Rossouw, 14 Lauina Futi (23 Malacchi Esdale 72′), 15 Duncan Matthews
Not used: 21 Brock Gallagher
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, March 1
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local
Weather: clear, 68°F (20°C), wind E 5-10mph (8-16km/h)
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Juan Pablo Parra (Colombia)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HIGHLIGHTS |
