By Aaron Wilson
Keni Nasoqeqe busted free for a try, diving across the line for the game-clinching try Saturday night for the SaberCats.
That score marked the final points the SaberCats needed, a bonus point try that propelled the Western Conference division leaders to a 28-25 home victory to sweep the regular season series with the Seattle Seawolves.
After Nasoqeqe boosted the lead to 28-18, the SaberCats maintained the lead to win the match.
By virtue of winning this home match, the 13-1 SaberCats earned the top seed and home-field advantage in the Major League Rugby playoffs.
The SaberCats won their eighth consecutive match since losing their only matchup of the season against the New England Free Jacks.
“I’m very proud of the guys,” SaberCats director Heyneke Meyer said. “We know that Seattle is a hell of a good team, and they played really well. We always knew it was going to be a very tough game. I’m very proud of the guys and the performance. We still have two games left and we’ve had some injuries. We have a long way to go. The only thing that counts is the last few games, but I’m very happy about the performance.”
The SaberCats defeated Seattle, 42-40, on the road earlier this season for their first win over them in franchise history. The Seawolves eliminated the SaberCats in the playoffs last season.
After building a 13-10 halftime lead, the SaberCats turned on the jets in the second half to build some momentum over the 10-4 Seawolves.
They opened their scoring with Davy Coetzer on a try to start the match after Coetzer chased down a loose ball in the open field followed by an AJ Alatimu conversion kick to build an 8-0 advantage in the first half.
They also got tries from Andre Warner, Justin Basson, Nasoqeqe and Alatimu. Basson and Nasoqeqe’s efforts in the second half provided the difference for the SaberCats to hold off Seattle.
“We knew it was going to be a clash for 80 minutes,” said Christian Dyer, who returned from an injury that sidelined him for the past few weeks. “We knew they’re a quality side. We knew they were going to put us under pressure, especially side to side. The entire focus this week was on us, our systems, our DNA and just believing in ourselves that we can do what we set out to do at the beginning of the year and that’s to get to the final match. We take it game by game, but it’s a big picture. We’re trying to get to the finals.
“It’s so cool to have such a competitive squad where anyone can compete week in and week out. Everybody contributed in some way. You don’t realize how special this group is and how special this community is that we have here with the SaberCats until you’re away from it for a couple of weeks. I’m so grateful to be back healthy and playing.” Pono Davis, a former SMU defensive tackle, made his first start of the season.
“Great, great,” Davis said. “You train all year to be on the starting roster and it’s great to come out here and get a W, especially against a team like that. Seattle is a great, competitive team.”
Basson notched his first try of the season after Dyer skied to gain possession to build the lead to 20-10 in the 42nd minute.
“I don’t score a lot of tries,” Basson said. “I’m more of the donkey guy. It’s not about who scores the try. I’m just glad to have the guys get the win. We just keep it up. It’s another week. We have kept it up. We come together like brothers.”
Warner has provided a steady scoring threat every week with his superior quickness and playmaking skills. He scored his try after nine phases to extend the lead to 13-3.
“All the hard work from the forwards, and I just snuck in there,” Warner said. “I’m very proud of this week. We knew Seattle is a quality team. It was a grind out there. We had a few guys missing and guys stepped in.”
Val Lee-Lo made a healthy return from a torn triceps suffered against Utah earlier this season that was initially thought to be a season-ending injury.
“They said I was out for the whole season, but I came back two months early,” Lee-Lo said. “It was good to be out there. I try to do my best for the team. My arm feels great. I can’t wait to keep playing.”
