SaberCats blow chance to go top of the West

THE Houston SaberCats blew their chance to go top of the Western Conference as they lost 43-36 to fifth place Seattle Seawolves on Saturday morning.

Seattle raced into a 29-7 lead at half-time through tries from Duncan Matthews, Joey Iosefa, Dan Kriel and Tavite Lopeti but a second half surge from the SaberCats set up a grandstand finish.

Louritz van der Schyff crossed before Seattle extended their lead through further tries by Iosefa and Mzamo Majola, but a late brace by Christian Dyer and Zach Pangelinan’s score brought the third-place side within 10 points.

Robert Povey kicked a last-gasp penalty to secure a second bonus point, but Pote Human’s side will rue their missed opportunity.

Table toppers LA Giltinis travel with their plethora of former international stars to take on the sixth place Utah Warriors this morning – who possess former Harlequins scrum-half Niall Saunders.

Second place Austin Gilgronis, with former Leicester Tigers and London Irish lock Sebastian de Chaves in their arsenal, trail the league leaders by one point and host Chris Robshaw’s San Diego Legion – who are captained by All Black centurion Ma’a Nonu.

In the Eastern Conference, second place Rugby ATL host fourth place Toronto Arrows and bottom side Old Glory DC welcome third spot Rugby

New York. Marty Veale’s New York side were joined by Wallaby legend Quade Cooper for a training session earlier this week.

The round concludes late this evening with the Eastern leaders New England Free Jacks hosting the NOLA Gold, who currently lie fifth in the standings.