Warriors’ Late Surge Not Enough To Overcome Raptors

Glendale, Colorado – The Utah Warriors make a late game surge in the second half, but fall short to the Colorado Raptors 14-22.

The Warriors’ defense was solid in their effort against the Raptors. The Warriors forced pressure and made the Raptors work to put 22 points on the board. The Warriors made a strong run at the Raptors at the 75’ by scoring two quick trys, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raptor’s lead that they carried from beginning to end.

The Warriors made an early statement by willing themselves into Colorado territory with massive kicks for touch from Hagen Schulte. However, committing a penalty at 12’ had Raptors’ Robbie Petzer put 3 points onto the board by way of a penalty kick.

Warriors’ fullback Robbie Povey would also give the Warriors offensive opportunities with strategically placed kicks into play, and into touch as well throughout the match, but the Warriors were unable to capitalize within the Raptors’ 22 meter territory.

Raptors’ outside center Rene Ranger would increase the lead at the 30’ with an unconverted try. The match would end the half 0-8.

A rapid back and forth would begin the second half. The Warriors were given a chance to put points on the board with a penalty kick at the 44’, but were unable to convert. A missed penalty kick earlier in the first half would leave a total of 6 points off of the board from attempted penalty kicks.

Ranger was able to dot down a converted second try for the Raptors at the 60’ putting the Raptors up 0-15.

The Warriors refused to lie down however and picked up momentum at the 75’. Huluholo Mo’ungaloa rumbled into the defense and put down the first try of the match for the Warriors, placing the score at 7-15.

A beautiful sequence of offloads and passes put the Warriors on track to score another try at 75’, however the ball was picked off by Raptors and Mason Emerson would place the third try of the night on the board. Putting the Raptors up 7-22.

A quick restart would be answered by the Warriors with Saia ‘Uhila scoring a 81’ converted try ending the match with the Raptors’ first win of the season, 14-22.

SCORING SUMMARY

0-3: 12’ Colorado (Petzer, Penalty)

0-8: 30’ Colorado (Ranger, Try)

HALFTIME: Utah 0  Colorado 8

15-0: 60’ Colorado (Ranger, Try; Petzer, Conversion)

15-7: 76’ Utah (Mo’ungaloa Try, Povey Conversion)

22-7: 78’ Colorado (Emerson Try, Petzer Conversion)

22-14: 81’ Utah (‘Uhila Try, Povey Conversion)

FINAL SCORE: Utah 14 Colorado 22

Warriors Team

1. Franco Van Den Berg
2. Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto
3. Angus MacLellan
4. Puna Vuli
5. Matt Jensen
6. Sama Malolo
7. Bailey Wilson
8. Jurie Van Vuuren
9. Dwayne Polataivao (C)
10. Hagen Schulte
11. James Vaifale
12. Dom Toluomo
13. Calvin Whiting
14. Gannon Moore
15. Robbie Povey

RESERVES
16. Ricky Tu’ihalangingie
17. Huluholo Mo’ungaloa
18. Kalolo Tuiloma
19. Arawa Elkington
20. Saia ‘Uhila
21. Michael Baska
22. Jared Whippy
23. Tyler Fisher

NEXT UP
Utah Warriors at Seattle Seawolves
Starfire Stadium, Seattle Washington
Saturday March 7th
7:00 PM MST