By Aaron Wilson
The Houston SaberCats are hosting a big party Saturday night.
The SaberCats, in the Western Conference playoff final against the Utah Warriors on the road, are holding a watch party at Platypus Brewing that will include special giveaways.
Scratch, the SaberCats mascot, will be in the house along with Uncle Tino, the DJ, and, possibly, a player or two.
Uncle Tino will have a set at 7:30 p.m. and at halftime. The match starts at 8 p.m. Central and is being broadcast by ESPN 2.
Giveaways include cowbells, koozies and towels.
Raffle grand prizes include a signed ball, a Live Oak vodka bottle and T-shirts.
Fan support has grown and grown for the second-seeded SaberCats.
“I think it’s really refreshing to see, even after such a long delay, we did see a good amount of fans come back out,” said Ramona Torres, the SaberCats’ corporate partnerships and brand manager, after the SaberCats defeated Rugby Football Club Los Angeles one day after bad weather postponed the match. “It’s heartwarming to see that they’re willing to stick by the team. That’s part of our playoff motto: ‘Everything Earned.’
“It’s not just about the team. It’s how the fans have stayed alongside us this entire year. Last year was easy when you win almost every game. To come out this year, it hasn’t been as easy for the entire season.“It’s great to see they’re here for the rugby through the highs and the lows. You can clearly see the growth of the organization from the time it started to now. It’s huge.”
Some of the SaberCats’ loyal fans are making the trip to Utah to cheer on their favorite team.
“A few fans, in different conversations, said they’ve already got their ticket or are buying their ticket,” Torres said. “I’ve heard a pretty good amount will go. I think that’s great. If you can’t make it, come to the watch party.”
Platypus Brewing, owned by Sean Hanrahan, has been a great partner of the SaberCats.
“It’s just nice, not only to have a home base, but it’s been so much more,” Torres said. “They have been really good to me this year helping us to promote rugby. He even brewed a whole beer and branded it after us. It’s super cool. Rugby is an international sport. It’s huge in Australia. This brewery gives off the right vibe. It’s a perfect place to go and immerse ourselves more in the rugby world.”
