HOUSTON SABERCATS DEFEAT ANTHEM RUGBY CAROLINA 26-14: ADVANCE TO QUARTERFINALS

Written by Michael Thervil

Anthem Rugby Carolina were no match for the Houston SaberCats as the SaberCats crushed them 26-14 to advance to the MLR Quarterfinals. | Video by Michael Thervil | VEDA Communications LLC.

[Houston SaberCats defeat Anthem Rugby Carolina] In a stunning but predicted victory over the Anthem Rugby Carolina, the Houston SaberCats have advanced to the Major League Rugby quarterfinals in which they are predicted to do exceptionally well. Although the Anthem Rugby Carolina played well, the high level of intensity that was displayed on the pitch by the Houston SaberCats during last night's game was overwhelming for the Anthem Rugby Carolina. In a sort of “Maximum Pressure Campaign”, the Houston SaberCats kept up both the momentum and pressure on the Anthem Rugby Carolina to the point where the Houston SaberCats were able to defeat them through not only skill and coordination, but by sheer attrition.

The only categories in which the Anthem Rugby Carolina led in terms of statistics were ball possession (58.42%), territory (65.79%), crossed gainline (74), kick meters (866), and lineouts won (11). This is proof positive that they played a great game against the Houston SaberCats, but whether they led in those mentioned

categories or not, meant absolutely nothing by the end of the match. The Houston SaberCats had 4 tries to Anthem Rugby Carolina's 2 and only possessed the ball 41.58% of the time.

Anthem Rugby Carolina were no match for the Houston SaberCats as the SaberCats crushed them 26-14 to advance to the MLR Quarterfinals. | Photo by Michael Thervil | VEDA Communications LLC.

Anthem Rugby Carolina were no match for the Houston SaberCats as the SaberCats crushed them 26-14 to advance to the MLR Quarterfinals. | Photo by Michael Thervil | VEDA Communications LLC.

The Houston SaberCats also annexed only half of the territory (34.21%) when compared to the Anthem Rugby Carolina who again led in this category. The SaberCats also led when it came to tackles, with 197 to the Anthem Rugby Carolina's 125 tackles. Looking at the carrying meters in which the SaberCats acquired 688 carrying meters to the Anthem Rugby Carolin’s 376, the dominance of the SaberCats in this respect was established when the SaberCats scored within the first 12-13 minutes of the first half of the match.

While the SaberCats fell behind Anthem Rugby Carolina when it came to crossing the gainline (49-74), they made up for it when it came to conversions by leading (3-1).  While neither team had the chance to score any penalty goals, the SaberCats were able to acquire 642 kick meters, falling behind the Anthem Rugby Carolina. The SaberCats also fell beyond when it came to lineouts, only scoring 6 to Anthem Rugby Carolina’s 11, but led in penalties conceded 11-4. The final score of the match was 26-14.

Houston SaberCats Center Sam Hill with friend Leslie Cruz.

The next match for the Houston SaberCats will be quarterfinals in which they will face off against RFC Los Angeles next Sunday, June 15th, at 7:30pm at the SaberCats Stadium located at 2055 Mowry Rd, Houston, TX 7705. This is a quarterfinal match that you simply don't want to miss. So now is the time to get your tickets here as tickets are currently going fast.