AG Falls To The Utah Warriors On The Road

The AGs went up to Utah looking to stake their claim on the second spot in the Western Conference, but just couldn’t keep up with the home team and a feisty Utah crowd.

Utah came out firing at home from the kickoff. Centr Calvin Whiting slotted a penalty kick minutes into the match, before lock Aston Fortuin bashed through the AG line for the opening try of the match. Whiting’s conversion was good and the home team was off to 10-0 lead.

What looked to be the AG’s most threatening scoring opportunity went for not as the Warriors’ defense held strong. At the 20 minute mark, Dom Bailey subbed off for injury with Kyle Breytenbach coming on in replacement.

The AGs again came knocking on the Warrior’s doorstep until the Warriors stripped the ball and chaos ensured. In what will certainly be a try-of-the-year nominee, the Warriors were off to the races on an offload spree and an eventual 100 meter try for Matt Jensen.

In short order, the AGs lost two more players to injury replacement. Ned Hodson went off with a hand injury and Will Magie pulled up with a niggle to his hamstring. Rodrick Waters and Kurt Morath subbed on for their wounded teammates respectively.

The woes didn’t stop there, the referee determined Isaac Ross’ maul defense was cynical and sent him to the bin for ten minutes. The Warriors made quick work of their man advantage a ran in their third through Mika Kruse. Whiting’s conversion was good to put the halftime score at 24-0.

Mack Mason broke the goose egg with his penalty conversion, but that momentum lasted only minutes as Utah’s Bailey Wilson intercepted a pass and wouldn’t be caught.

A hard-charging run from Frank Halai and a second linebreak from Seb De Chaves gave the AGs their first try of the match. Again, just as the AGs began to quiet the home crowd, Utah would immediately strike back. This time it was Mikey Te’o with a stunning line for the try.

The AGs always play to the 80th minute, and Paddy Ryan came into the match and immediately fought through the defense to dot down. Then it was a well-worked phase attack from the AGs to set up a Cole Davis try.

A sudden and disappointing intercept try from Utah’s Chad Gough put the AG’s chances at a bonus point to bed.

While the AGs will be disappointed in their away performance in Utah, there are still several matches to get the team’s playoff chances back on track.

The Texas Cup will be on the line next Saturday as the AGs head to Houston to take on the SaberCats. The AGs will look to rebound from this loss and bring the cup home for the third time in two years.