Utah Recap 2019

CATS CLINCH HOME PLAYOFF

#10 Arizona 41

Utah 10

Kyle Fulton's double helped the Wildcats clinch home field for round one of next week's playoffs. (Photo credit: Alex Ho)

April 1- Arizona traveled to Utah this past weekend looking to lock up another strong regular season and more importantly, a home playoff match next month on Sitton Field.

The 10th-ranked Wildcats started well in this pursuit, with a penalty from Robert Figley in the first minute getting them on the scoreboard, followed by the first of two tries by Center Lucas Bartzis. A Utah score gave the hosts hope, however, making it 10-7 in the first portion of the match. It was then that Center Kyle Fulton took over, scoring twice in a seven minute span to push the lead to 12 at half. "Kyle's come back from injury and shown why he was a starter to open the season. He's definitely given us as a staff something to think about as we set our lineup for playoffs" said Head Coach Sean Duffy.

While the first half margin favored the Wildcats, they set out to put forth a better showing and did so, shutting out Utah to the score of 19-0 in the second half behind tries from Lock Tyler Hansen, Wing Garrett Walker, and Bartzis' second score. For Arizona, the chance to rest some starters heading into playoffs and get valuable experience for others was huge. "Very grateful for the work of Utah Rugby and their Head Coach Rob Randell for making this game happen, the venue change was forced by weather and this was a good contest that helped us evaluate some pieces for next month" said Duffy.

The win finishes Arizona's regular season at 6-2 and clinches their first home playoff match since the program's promotion to D1A in 2015. The Wildcats will host Central Washington April 13th at Sitton Field with FloRugby providing full coverage.

Arizona Third XV will conclude their season on Saturday, hosting New Mexico on Sitton Field as players look to work their way in to the team's playoff pool.

Scoring vs Utah

Tries: 6- Fulton (2), Bartzis (2), Hansen, Walker

Conv: Figley- 4/6

Pen: Figley- 1/1

Arizona First XV vs Utah

1. Braeden Looper

2. Zach Biggs

3. Theo Smith

4. Tyler Hansen

5. Bronson Teles (VC)

6. Sinclair Clinton

7. Ben Scoular