Utah Warriors Fall To Houston SaberCats In Round 15 Matchup

SALT LAKE CITY –The Utah Warriors were unable to generate any momentum with the Houston SaberCats at full strength in a 31-27 loss.

The Utah Warriors (3-9, 20 points) travelled to Texas where they took on the Houston SaberCats (7-5, 36 points) at AVEVA Stadium in Houston, TX on Saturday, May 14.

In what would become a theme all game long, Utah took advantage of a SaberCat penalty to strike first. A fifth minute penalty kick from Calvin Whiting put Utah in front 3-0 early.

Five minutes later, Houston got on the board with the first try of the game after some back and forth play. The SaberCats missed the conversion, keeping Houston in front by two at 5-3.

Houston picked up their second straight try in the 20th minute while Utah struggled to find any momentum. A second missed conversion by Houston left the score at 10-3.

The advantage shifted when SaberCat Juan Pablo Zeiss was sent to the penalty box late in the half. The Warriors capitalized with a try from Saia ‘Uhila. Utah added the conversion to knot the score up at 10 in the 28th minute.

Tie ball game courtesy of the Chief!

Utah: 10 | Hou: 10#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/Uq8wfySEk4

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) May 15, 2022

Just two minutes later the Warriors found themselves on the scoreboard again when Joe Mano added the Warriors second try of the match. Whiting added the conversion to put Utah in front 17-10. It was Mano’s fourth try in the past three matches.

Utah’s lead was short lived as Houston added their third try of the match just before the halftime whistle. With the conversion, Houston equaled Utah at 17 apiece as the teams headed to the locker room.

A second Houston yellow card immediately led to Mano’s second try of the contest. The Warriors missed the try to make the score 22-17.

Joe Mano AGAIN! We’ve retaken the lead after a phenomenal team run and Houston penalty!

Utah: 22 | Hou: 17#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/XzkHvB0WE7

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) May 15, 2022

With a short kick ahead and some Warrior defensive miscommunication, the SaberCats an easy try. Houston took a 24-22 lead with the conversion.

In the 79th minute try and conversion for the SaberCats put them in front 31-22.

Utah added one last try in the final minute to make the final score 31-27.

Up Next

The Warriors will return home to host the Austin Gilgronis on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. (MST). The game can be streamed on KSLSports.com, the KSL Sports app and the KSL TV app.

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