Heartbreaker Goes to Glendale: Warriors Rugby Gives Commanding Performance But Falls Short Late

(Photo: Davey Wilson)

(SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH) – The Glendale Raptors bested the Utah Warriors by scoring two tries within the last eight minutes of play in a match highlighted by physical play. The Warriors were within five yards of a match-tying try with under four minutes to play but could not convert. The Warriors move to 0-2 in the league and Glendale maintains its first-place standing with a record of 3-0.

After the match, Glendale Head Coach Dave Williams praised the improvement of the Warriors as a new team, “This is not the team we just played and beat handily a month ago. They exposed us and have made substantial improvements as a new team. Congratulations to Coach Daniels and General Manager Kimball Kjar for putting together a team to be reckoned with.”

Warriors Head Coach Alf Daniels credited improved physical play and defensive schemes to the improvements and near upset. “We focused this week on playing more physical rugby and in defensive schemes that would force them to adjust. We believed we could win and that attitude showed today. Like I mentioned earlier in the season, this team will continue to come together and be a force.”

Tonata Lauti lead the Warriors in scoring with two tries and Kurt Morath added to his kicking legacy with three conversions and one penalty kick.

The Warriors next game is Friday, May 11th versus the Austin Elite, who earned their first league win today by beating the New Orlean Gold. The match will begin at 7:00 pm MST at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman, Utah. The game will be the Major League Rugby match of the week and broadcast nationally on CBS Sports.