SaberCats Defeat Old Glory, Clinched Playoff Berth

SaberCats (10-5) are headed to postseason for second consecutive year

By Aaron Wilson

Vereniki Tikoisolomone took off in the open field with nothing but unoccupied space in front of him, sprinting untouched for a lengthy try to close out the match.

Diving for the score, Tikoisolomone put the exclamation point on the SaberCats’ franchise record 10th victory of the season Friday night in a 31-7 win over Old Glory DC.

It was a complete 80-minute performance on offense and defense for the third-place SaberCats. The SaberCats, after their win and the Utah Warriors’ loss Saturday, have now earned a second consecutive playoff berth with one game remaining in the regular season against the New England Free Jacks.

The SaberCats, despite traveling back from Canada after a win over the Toronto Arrows and having a short week of preparation, looked fresh and full of energy.

“I was very happy,” SaberCats director Heyneke Meyer said. “It’s always difficult to win. They’re a quality side. It’s very important to get the five points, just happy about the performance. Very short turnaround, the guys were tired and they put their bodies on the line.”

The SaberCats (10-5) got a boost from the return of team captain and returning all-star Dean Muir after spending time with family in South Africa and leading scorer Davy Coetzer from a knee injury. And the points yielded represents a new season-low for the SaberCats’ defense.

“I think a big thing for us is getting an 80-minute performance, especially on defense,” said Coetzer, who scored a try after missing the previous two matches. “I’m super proud of the boys on defense, not giving up points against a dangerous team.

“We take it game by game. We know the importance of every game. We have to win everything to win the championship. We got the job done.”

With one game to go on the schedule, the SaberCats are in the playoffs.

They want to keep up the momentum after winning their third consecutive match, which was preceded by a three-game losing streak.

“I think we thrive under the pressure,” said Carlo de Nysschen, who earned his 50th cap. “We really like it. Every game is a playoff game from here on out. We like it this way. Absolutely, we want to win out. Every game is a final. Hopefully for us, we’ve got four more finals left.”

The SaberCats have 53 points and are competing with the Utah Warriors for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“They played really well to to get the tries and the points that we needed,” said SaberCats coach Pote Human, who returned from a disciplinary suspension. “All the focus will be on New England next week. We prepared. Next week will be a big challenge for us. I know we can do it.”

Christian Dyer scored two tries to open the game for the SaberCats before leaving the game with an injury. That included securing a punt from Drew Wild to the game-opening score and his second score off a pass from Tikoisolomone.

Coetzer boosted the SaberCats’ lead to 17-7 before halftime

“We take it game by game,” Gideon van Wyk said. “We know we had a three-game losing streak, so teams are going to come to us. We needed to get back to the drawing board.

“I think we’re used to this type of game. It’s finally coming through to 80 minutes. I’m hoping we can keep that going.”

One of the highest scorers in Major League Rugby, Coetzer was enthusiastic about getting back on the field.

“Amazing,” he said. “I told the boys I think it’s the most excited I’ve been for the game. It’s great to get a win. I felt great out there. I was maybe breathing a little hard.”

Having Coetzer back is a key to the SaberCats’ success along with Muir’s leadership and play.

“It was great,” Human said. “Davy was his old self, really a workhorse.”

*Photos by BIgShot SnapShots