Utah welcomed Seattle in the dusky sunset under the floodlights. A decent turnout to cheer on the table toppers in Utah.
Trainor J. (10', 31')
Tries
Penalty Try (46'), Futi L. (57', 71')
Hodgson J. (11', 32')
Conversions
Esekia Iona R. (58', 72')
Hodgson J. (30', 65'), Leuila D. (54')
Penalties
Utah welcomed Seattle in the dusky sunset under the floodlights. A decent turnout to cheer on the table toppers in Utah.
The first 10 minutes was a tentative chess match with both sides trying to figure out the way through each others defences. Utah were having the most luck in the first 10 minutes, which ended with a Jordan Trainor in the corner after Seattle over throw their own lineout on their 5 metre line. Joel Hodgson makes the kick tight to the touchline. 11 minutes gone and Utah lead 7 - 0.
The next 20 minutes were even more tentative with the Georgian referee and Joey Mano chasing Joel Hodgson kick chases being the busiest people on the pitch. Otherwise, there wasn’t much to talk about until a late tackle awards Utah a easy penalty kick near the 22. Joel Hodgson makes light work in the 30th minute. 10 - 0 to the Utah Warriors.
Seattle make the error at the restart having gathered the ball. They cough up the ball giving it back to Utah to go through the backline. Kyle Brown is able to straight up and goes through the line, charging into space over the Seattle 10 metre line, offloads back inside to Jordan Trainor to run clear under the posts for his second try of the night. Hodgson makes easy kick from in front. 32 minutes gone and we have a bit of explosion in the game. In the replays though, it looks like there was a knock on in the tackle where Utah won the ball back but the TMO says its fine. Potential big call with that decision.
The next 8 minutes of the half continued in the similar vein of the rest of the half. Seattle managed to butcher a lineout on the Utah 5 metre line while the clock turned red. Utah will be the happiest from a scrappy and tentative half of rugby.
It took 6 minutes into the second half for the game to have the next clear event, Seattle had a lineout on the Utah 22. The lineout was executed perfectly. Seattle go through the hands to try get it out wide where they have found any success so far. TMO is called in for a deliberate knock on by Jordan Trainor who stops a clear try being scored as last defender. Trainor goes to the bin for 10 minutes and Seattle get the penalty try. 17 - 7 now after 46 minutes.
Utah turn on the physicality for the next few phases, causing Seattle to retreat and make more errors. Utah win penalty advantage on the 22 infront of the posts, the free play doesn’t work out. Leuila takes the kick this time and slots down the middle. Utah stretch the lead to 20 - 7 after 54 minutes.
Seattle have the turn to take the attacking wave but as Trainor returns to the pitch. Seattle have a line out on Utah 22, another copy cat of their first try phase play. But rather than Trainor coming across, he stays wide. Mano then opts to step out to take the looping round attacker, allowing Futi to stroll through the gap and dot down. Eskia takes the conversion and Seattle are back to 20 - 14 after 58 minutes.
Has the tide started to turn in the match, the crowd have gone quiet as Seattle are back within 6 points now. Joel Hodgson manages to clear the pressure for Utah with a huge 48 metre kick. But Seattle are coming back at Utah. Seattle manage to knock it on at half way giving Utah a chance to stem the tide for a bit. Utah get the scrum penalty just inside the Seattle half. Leuila takes the kick and makes it look like a close range nudge. 23 - 14 now after 65 minutes.
A quick Seattle lineout in their own half gives them the platform to gain territory to the Utah 22. Spencer Jones gets pinged for a high tackle in the wave of defensive tackles for Utah. He is awarded a yellow card for his efforts and Seattle are going to kick for the corner. They are on 5 metre line out now, line out goes up and maul formed. Its creeping forward but brought down. Quickly out the back, a loop pass over the top to miss a tackle, the Futi steps back inside and forces himself over the line. Eskia takes the conversion easily and we are down to a 2 point game in the 72nd minute. 23 - 21 to Utah.
Seattle drop the ball from the restart on their 5 metre line. Utah scrum and they smell the try line. The Georgian ref pings Logan Crowley the replacement scrum half from stamping in the ruck under the shadows of the post. Seattle get the chance to clear the lines.
Seattle win a penalty close to the Utah 22 for Utah not rolling away. They go for the corner, rather than the sticks. They butcher the lineout and give the ball back to Utah with a scrum. 3 minutes to go and Utah just need to retain the ball. we are on the 3rd reset of the scrum now as we creep into the final minute. Utah win the scrum penalty as the clock turns red.
Hodgson taps and kicks the ball out, Seattle should have gone for the posts and won this game by a point.
