Game Report: SaberCats vs. Old Glory DC

A cold and windy night set the scene at AVEVA Stadium, as the Houston Sabercats (1-2) dropped their second consecutive game in a 22-13 defeat to the Old Glory D.C (2-1) on Saturday.

After trailing 3-0 to start the game, Tiaan Loots scored the SaberCats first try of the night (9:25). Issues such as high tackles, penalties, and handling errors were an ongoing theme throughout the first half.

For Old Glory, they were able to capitalize on the mistakes made by Houston, which resulted in six penalty points and a try from Dante Lopresti (21:15).  Center official, Derek Summers, handed out several penalties on Old Glory, which led to the Sabercats being able to keep the match close. Loots’ try was followed by penalty kicks from Sam Windsor (25:22, 29:18).

With the score tied at 13 points apiece heading into the halftime break, Houston did a solid job forcing Old Glory’s mishaps by controlling the tempo throughout the first half.

Unfortunately, the momentum the SaberCats went into the half with faded away, as Houston was unable to score in the second half despite multiple opportunities deep inside Old Glory’s territory. Jason Robertson’s penalty kicks (42:20, 71:39, 78:27) pushed  Old Glory over the Sabercats, giving them the victory.

Following the loss, the SaberCats will return to the drawing board to prepare for the Rugby United New York, Sunday afternoon, at AVEVA Stadium. Kick-off is slated for 5 P.M. CT.

SCORING

HOUSTON 13
Tries – T. Loots (11’)
Cons – S. Windsor 1/1 (12’)
Pens – S. Windsor 2/2 (26’, 30’)
Yellow cards – D. Magno (78’)

DC 22
Tries – M. Mason (22’)
Cons – J. Robertson 1/1 (23’)
Pens – J. Robertson 5/5 (9’, 15’, 43’, 71’, 79’)
Yellow cards – R. Roberts-Te Nana (65’)

TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Nicolás Solveyra (17 Valdemar Lee-Lo 58’), 2 Diego Fortuny (16 Tim Cadwallader 75’), 3 Charlie Connolly (18 Boyd Wiggins 60’), 4 Kyle Breytenbach, 5 Robert Meeson (19 Victor Comptat 52’), 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Cecil Garber (20 Adriaan Booysen 58’), 8 Diego Magno, 9 De Wet Roos (capt.), 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Malacchi Esdale (23 Tim Stanfill 72’), 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Kieran Farmer, 15 Osea Kolinisau (21 Taylor Howden 68’)
Not used: 22 Zachary Short

OLD GLORY DC
1 Tendai Mtawarira (17 Jake Turnbull HT), 2 Dante Lopresti (16 Max Lum 50’), 3 Gordon Fullerton (18 Will Vakalahi 48’), 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Dylan Pieterse, 6 Matt Hughston (19 Travis Larsen 52’), 7 Mungo Mason (capt.), 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (20 Josh Brown 60’), 9 Danny Tusitala (21 Michael Reid 80’), 10 Jason Robertson (22 Mike Dabulas 80’), 11 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 12 Ciaran Hearn (23 Doug Fraser 60’), 13 Thretton Palamo, 14 Declan O’Donnell, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Joe BurPar (USA) & Greg Varnell (USA)