Utah Warriors Capitalize On Mistakes To Take Down Austin Gilgronis
May 21, 2022, 10:04 PM | Updated: Oct 4, 2022, 1:50 pm
(Photo courtesy of Utah Warriors)
(Photo courtesy of Utah Warriors)
SALT LAKE CITY – For the second time this season the underdog Utah Warriors defeated a top Major League Rugby opponent, dropping the Austin Gilgronis 22-8 on Saturday night.
The Warriors (4-10, 26 points) returned to Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, UT where they hosted to Austin Gilgronis (10-4, 48 points) on Saturday, May 21.
The Warriors snapped a six-game losing streak earlier in May with a 44-26 win over Rugby ATL, the east’s third best team.
Austin jumped on the scoreboard first, taking advantage of a Utah penalty to score a 12th minute try. The Gilgronis missed the conversion, leaving them with a 5-0 lead.
Let the rugby continue! Up next, we’re in Salt Lake City where the @utwarriorsrugby take on the @Gilgronis who need a win to remain at the top in the West! 🏆
📺 LIVE now @therugbynetwork | #UTAHvAUS | #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/gqEZZJBpdw
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) May 22, 2022
The Warriors responded 15 minutes later when a 27th minute breakout led to the first try of the game for Utah. Calvin Whiting added the conversion to make it 7-5 Warriors.
Trailing 7-5, Austin took advantage of a Warrior penalty by adding a free three point goal kick. Austin took an 8-7 lead with the goal.
Utah nearly had a try early in the second half, but instead settled for three points after an Austin penalty led to the Warrior goal that put Utah in front 10-8.
Several minutes of both teams essentially banging their head against a wall ensued as the defenses stopped every advantage for the early portion of the second half.
Neither team could get on the scoreboard as the score remained tied until Paul Lasike added a huge try for the Warriors. The 65th minute goal put Utah in front 15-8. Whiting’s conversion gave Utah a two-score advantage 17-8.
He’s back, baby!
UT: 17 | AUS: 8#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/VERsErRlgf
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) May 22, 2022
Leading by nine with just seven minutes remaining, Niall Saunders scored a long try to put Utah in front 22-8. Whiting’s conversion went wide right.
Utah’s defense dominated the final 40 minutes, not allowing a single chance for Austin to score in the half.
The Warriors stay home for their second straight match at Zions Bank Stadium. The league leading LA Giltinis (10-4, 49 points) come in to town for a match scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, May 28.
