Warriors secure win over Old Glory at home

HERRIMAN — The Utah Warriors used a dominant start, securing all five points available in their win over visiting Old Glory DC 31-24 amidst rainy conditions at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday.

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While the Warriors have somewhat struggled out of the gate during too many matches so far this season, Friday’s win proved very much the opposite.

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“It was probably some of the best rugby I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said Warriors coach Greg Cooper. “I thought we were clinical and our attack was really sharp. Thankfully the rain held off so we were able to play that type of rugby. I was very impressed with that first 20 minutes and generally for the entire first half.”

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Frank Lochore started off the scoring for Utah in the ninth minute with Joel Hodgson adding a lengthy conversion kick for a 7-0 lead. About six minutes later Dylan Nel touched down the ball in the try zone by virtue of a successful maul deep inside DC territory which was set up by a long run-out by Caleb Makene.

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Mika Kruse then scored a try in the 25th minute after an off-load from Joel Hodgson for a 21-0 lead following Hodgson’s third straight conversion kick from long distance.

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“We had a really good week and we were really clear on what we wanted to do,” said Warriors scrum half Kieran McClea regarding Utah’s dominating start. “We got on our attack and we recycled the ball really well, and the boys were doing real well in the middle with reloading.”

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As for McClea, he had his first try called back after a replay late in the first half, but then scored Utah’s important try in the 53rd minute for a 28-5 lead. For the match, McClea showed potent throughout in what could well be considered his best match to date since joining the Warriors in the offseason.

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“It was one of my better ones, but there’s still plenty to work on,” McClea said. “It’s good to get a little bit of confidence going forward and hopefully we can just build on that.”

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“He was able to get to the breakdown quickly and move that ball,” Cooper added about McClea’s play. “But we’re really fortunate with the two outbacks that we got.”

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Those two outbacks are Joe Mano and Michael Manson, who joined with fellow backs Hodgson, Kruse, Makene and Alesana Pohla in forming Utah’s dominant attack during the game’s first 50 minutes and change.

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“Those guys are awesome and it makes my job really easy when I’ve got those guys,” McClea said. “I just have to do my job and get those guys the ball, basically.”

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Rain began to fall in earnest for the game’s final 30 minutes, which slowed down Utah’s attack considerably, along with some resilient play shown forth by DC.

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The visiting team scored tries in the 61st, 69th and in the final minute to secure two bonus points on its way back to Washington D.C.

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“We have to be better at playing in these conditions,” Cooper said. “They’re one of the best mauling teams in the competition, and we had to play some minutes a man down. We were a bit inaccurate in that second half, but I have to congratulate the guys and how they played with the quick turnaround.”

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Utah improves to 4-4 on the season with the win and will next take on the Houston Sabercats on May 4 at Zions Bank Stadium. Old Glory DC drops to 2-4-2 with the loss.

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