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SALT LAKE CITY — One of Major League Rugby's oldest teams spoiled the home opener of MLR's newest Sunday afternoon.
Joe Mano scored his 10th try in as many matches, and the Utah Warriors held off the expansion Chicago Hounds 14-10 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, to help the Warriors to their second consecutive victory.
One week after giving up 25 points in holding off Dallas 33-25 in their own home opener, the Warriors (2-1, 9 points) kept the Hounds at bay with a staunch front line and several try-saving tackles inside of 15 meters.
"Our defense was a big deal for us," Mano told the MLR broadcast after the match. "We worked hard last week on our defense; it's Utah built. You've got to sacrifice your body on the line at that try line."
Chicago struck first, going up as much as 10-0 in the first half. But Utah rallied and scored off the maul through Henry Bell to trail just 10-7 at halftime.
Mano gave the Warriors their first lead with a breakaway try on the left wing in the 53rd minute, and Joel Hodgson's conversion kick put Utah ahead 14-10.
The @utwarriorsrugby picked up their second straight win on the road to spoil @HoundsChicago's franchise home opener.
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 5, 2023
Check out the full highlights! #CHIvUTAH | #MLR2023pic.twitter.com/0ewS4EUX67
Once again, Mano — the 6-foot winger from Pago Pago, American Samoa, who bounced back from a torn ACL in 2021 to be voted team player of the year in 2022 — gave credit to his front line.
"We got a big space on the edge," Mano said in describing his try. "It's a credit to the big boys for dominating the middle and giving us backs the space to score on the edge."
The Hounds had a chance at the match-winner with just over 10 minutes remaining, aided by a no-tackle penalty by Utah inside the 15-meter line. But the Warriors forced a turnover inside the 5-meter line, and held on to earn 4 points with the win.
Utah has a bye next week before returning to the road March 18 at NOLA Gold. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. MST on KMYU and The Rugby Network.
