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The Houston SaberCats made it two in a row as they defeated the visiting Capital Selects by 49-3 in preseason action on a hazy evening at Constellation Field on Saturday. As expected the organization and superior physical conditioning of the professional side proved too much for the amateur invitational Selects, who managed only a single penalty goal over the 80 minutes.
A try to Justin Allen just moments in to the game was an ominous start but the Selects settled in and held the SaberCats to just one more score in the half, with Osea Kolinisau crossing for a converted touchdown. The Fijian midfielder found himself in trouble with the referee and was sent to the bin just before the break, with a 14-0 score at halftime a respectable effort indeed for the Capital side.
Jake Humphrey landed a penalty goal shortly after the intermission but that was all the Selects could muster. Once restored to full strength the SaberCats went to work and it was big Charlie Hewitt who barreled over to join second row partner Allen on the score sheet.
The final quarter was all Houston, with two tries going to Josua Vici in quick succession, a single to replacement Sam Windsor, and a second score to Kolinisau to wrap up proceedings. Zach Pangelinan enjoyed a perfect day from the tee, landing seven conversions in an impressive kicking display.
Next up for the SaberCats are the Chicago Lions, a club who had been involved in the initial Major League Rugby discussions but were forced to delay until at least 2019.
SCORING
HOUSTON SABERCATS 49
Tries – J. Allen (1’), O. Kolinisau 2 (25’, 75’), C. Hewitt (53’), J. Vici 2 (61’, 68’), S. Windsor (72’)
Cons – Z. Pangelinan 7/7 (2’, 26’, 54’, 62’, 69’, 73’, 76’)
Yellow cards – O. Kolinisau (38’)
CAPITAL SELECTS 3
Pens – J. Humphrey 1/1 (44’)
TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Petey Hepburn, 2 Jack Riley, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Justin Allen, 6 Robert Meeson, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Matt Trouville (capt.), 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Kieran Farmer, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Osea Kolinisau, 13 Dan Paul, 14 Malacchi Esdale, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 Chauntez Jackson, 18 Adam Macklin, 19 Chris Parker, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Chris Milledge, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Conor Mills, 24 Chris Slater, 25 Andres Diaz
CAPITAL SELECTS
1 Doc Irey, 2 Guy Lopresti, 3 Evan Harkum, 4 Tyler Barberi, 5 Matt Holsopple, 6 Eric Hagen, 7 Zach Schell, 8 Josh Brown, 9 Sean Hartig, 10 Jake Humphrey, 11 CJ Burnes, 12 Campbell Johnstone, 13 Brian Mulloy, 14 Justin Menke, 15 Nick Kuhl (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Eric Sweeney, 17 Adam Floyd, 18 Zack Jessell, 19 Alex Diegel, 20 Kevin Jackson, 21 Vili Siale, 22 Calvin Storey, 23 Eugene Becton
