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Warriors Earn Second League Win Over Houston Sabercats

HOUSTON, TX — The Utah Warriors posted their second league victory by a score of 36-30 over the Houston Sabercats. Kurt Morath led the Warriors with 13 points, but it was fullback Don Pati who added a spark to the backline and was named Man of the Match.

The Sabercats struck first with a penalty kick and converted try in the first 10 minutes. The Warriors answered with two quick tries from forwards Matt Jensen and Lance Williams to lead 14-10, but a try for the Sabercats saw them take back the lead going into halftime.

Whatever Coach Daniels said at halftime seemed to work as Utah came out firing with a brilliant run by Don Pati who scored under the posts and put the visitors up 22-20, but Houston wasn’t about to roll over. The home side made a penalty kick, then pounced on a mistake at scrum time to score a converted try in the 62nd minute and take the lead by one. Hooker Lote Tu’ipulotu’s try in the 70th minute and the conversion by Kurth Murath proved to be the match winner with a final score of 36-30.

“This is was a test and a try for our team. We showed our character and what we are capable of doing. This is a big win in our chase for the playoffs.” said Warriors Head Coach Alf Daniels.

The Warriors are currently in 3rd Place in overall league standings with 14 total points. However, there are still league matches to be played tomorrow.

36 WARRIORS – Tries: Matt Jensen (‘10), Lance Williams (‘14), Don Pati (‘44), Tonata Lauti (‘49) Lote Tuipulotu (‘70) Conversions: Kurt Morath (‘10, ‘14, ‘45, ‘70) Penalty kicks: Kurt Morath (‘38)

30 SABERCATS – Tries: Osea Kolinisau (‘6), Joshua Vici (‘18), Connor Murphy (‘62) Conversions: Sam Windsor (‘7, ‘20, ‘63) Penalty Kicks: Sam Windsor (‘3, ‘23, ‘47)

There are three matches remaining for the Warriors:

June 1st @ Austin Elite 5pm MST

June 6th – MEET THE TEAM 12-1:30pm MST (Warrior Field)*

June 9th – BYE WEEK

June 16th vs New Orleans Gold 2pm MST

June 23rd vs Houston Sabercats 2pm MST

*MEET THE TEAM EVENT

The Warriors have a bye-week on June 9th but will be holding a meet the team event, ‘Pies & Trys presented by NUI’ on Wednesday, June 6th from 12:00pm until 1:30pm at Warrior Field in Lehi. The event is free and open to the public including kids and includes a Rugby 101 session, on-field punt-pass-kick competition and free lunch for those who register online at www.warriorsrugby.com. All media are invited to attend and participate.