Houston Blasts Utah Warriors In Western Conference Final
Jun 21, 2025, 9:07 PM | Updated: 9:11 pm
A Utah Warriors player is lifted by his teammates to catch the ball during a lineout at a Utah Warriors Major League Rugby game against RFC Los Angeles at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, June 7, 2025. (A Utah Warriors player is lifted by his teammates to catch the ball during a lineout at a Utah Warriors Major League Rugby game against RFC Los Angeles at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, June 7, 2025)
(A Utah Warriors player is lifted by his teammates to catch the ball during a lineout at a Utah Warriors Major League Rugby game against RFC Los Angeles at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday, June 7, 2025)
HERRIMAN, Utah – The Utah Warriors saw their 2025 season come to an unceremonious end at the hands of the Houston Sabercats, falling 33-19 at home.
The Warriors (11-6) hosted their second-ever postseason match, welcoming the Houston Sabercats (11-6) to Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday, June 21.
RELATED: Warriors Prepare To Host Houston Sabercats In MLR Western Conference Final
The 'Cats are headed to next Saturday's Championship Finals after knocking off the Utah Warriors at Zions Bank Stadium
19-33
📺 https://t.co/N1YhUY6szo
ESPN2 | #UTAHvHOU | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/0ZU423Jg3r— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 22, 2025
First Half
Houston sought a fast start, approaching the goal line in the opening moments.
Western Conference Finals Squad.#UpTheWahs #ForTheNation #ForUtah #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/0bTCEbYelc
— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) June 21, 2025
After the first Sabercats surge was stopped at the goal line, Houston went to a scrum that resulted in a five-point try from Andre Warner.
The conversion put Utah in a 7-0 hole less than five minutes into the match.
CASHED IN EARLY 💼
Andre Warner strikes first in the Western Conference Final#MLRPlayoffs presented by @sportsbreakscom! 📺 https://t.co/N1YhUY5UJQ | #UTAHvHOU | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/EXUb7h4oao
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 22, 2025
Houston controlled much of the opening 15 minutes, but couldn’t manage more points against a stout Utah defense.
The Warriors found their footing when Lance Williams broke free for a long try. A missed conversion left Utah trailing 7-5, 19 minutes into the game.
18'
Lance Williams strikes first for the Warriors.
UT 5 – 7 HOU#ForUtah | #UTAHvHOU | #MLRPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ek2tD51Zzb— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) June 22, 2025
Houston took advantage of a momentary defensive lapse to add a second try in the 31st minute.
A conversion split the uprights, giving the visitors a 14-5 lead.
Utah was threatening late in the half, but a Sabercat defender jumped in front of a pass and sprinted untouched into the try-zone.
The lead ballooned to 16 points after the conversion.
The visiting Sabercats take a significant lead into the break thanks to tries from Andre Warner, AJ Alatimu & Tautalatasi Tasi
5-21
📺 https://t.co/N1YhUY6szo
ESPN2 | #UTAHvHOU | #MLR2025 pic.twitter.com/EZWKXQ99dN— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 22, 2025
Joe Mano nearly had a try for Utah minutes later, but was leveled at the goal line. A brief review of the hit left Utah in possession about five meters from the line. An extended attack came up empty.
Houston led 21-5 at the break.
Second Half
The home crowd exploded when Lance Williams appeared to score his second try of the match. The cheers died down when the review showed that Williams did not possess the ball when it was touched down.
A penalty allowed the Warriors to keep possession. Seconds later, Houston forced a turnover that zapped Utah’s momentum.
Houston sucked the air out of the home stadium when Drake Davis picked up a loose ball and sprinted in for an easy try. The conversion made the score 28-5.
it’s DAVIS with the 90 meter intercept try 😳#rugby @HOUSaberCats @usmlr pic.twitter.com/hfckHxB3o6
— The Rugby Network (@therugbynetwork) June 22, 2025
The Sabercats added a back-breaking try in the 67th minute. Utah trailed 33-5 after a failed conversion.
Paul Lasike rumbled over the goal line minutes later for Utah’s second try. The conversion left Utah trailing 33-12.
Utah added one more try down the stretch to end the night with a 33-19 loss.
Follow Utah Warriors With KSL Sports
Houston advances to face two-time defending champion New England Free Jacks in the Major League Rugby Final on Saturday, June 28, at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
Find KSL Sports coverage of the Utah Warriors here.
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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
