The Utah Warriors finished off the Chicago Hounds in dramatic style at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman on Saturday with Jesse Hamilton crossing putting the ball down across the try line in the 80th minute to score a 29-15 win.

The final score not only secured a win for the Warriors in their home opener, but also what could prove to be a critical bonus point being the fourth try scored by Utah during the match.

“Family and friends are in the crowd and there’s no better place than Zions Bank Stadium,” Hamilton said. “Getting that bonus point to set us up later in the season — we’re going to look back on this match here and say that’s how we won the (championship) in 2024.”

Hamilton’s try came by virtue of a long run out by Warriors fly half Joel Hodgson, who lateralled the ball to Hamilton at the opportune moment for him to waltz into the try zone untouched.

“That was super awesome. I can’t thank God enough for even letting me have this opportunity,” Hamilton said. “You can’t give up once — not until the whistle is blown. Walk like a Warrior — and that’s what we were out there today.”

Hamilton was one of several Warrior players stepping up big in place of injured starters and provided solid play throughout, along with other players like Sione Mahe, Kalisi Moli and Tomasi Tonga, among others.

“I’m so pleased to see guys like Jesse out there play so well,” Cooper said. “…We’ve got a really strong breeding ground for local players, so it’s nice to see them out there showing some strength for Utah rugby.”

As strong as Utah finished on Saturday, it was Chicago which showed strong initially, scoring a try after just a minute and a half of play, handing Utah a 7-0 deficit.

The Warriors responded in the 16th minute, however, with Hodgson letting loose a brilliant kick down the sidelines that caught Mahe in stride. Mahe off-loaded the ball to Bailey Wilson, who avoided a couple of would-be tacklers before off-loading to Zion Going for the score and a 7-7 tied score.

Chicago added a penalty kick to retake the lead at 10-7 in the 23rd minute before Saia ‘Uhila scored a try in the 36th minute to give the Warriors a 14-10 lead at the break.

Chicago started the second half scoring with a try during the 55th minute before Phil Bradford touched the ball across the try line in the 63rd minute to give Utah a 21-15 lead.

Hodgson scored a critical penalty kick to all but secure a win in the 78th minute, pushing the lead to 24-15 before Hamilton’s late heroics, of which Hamilton was quick to credit Hodgon’s long run-out and off-load.

“He definitely kicked the door down for me,” Hamilton said.

As for Hodgson’s overall play, the Englishman was at his best throughout, earning him praise from Warriors head coach Greg Cooper after.

“He was superb, and I think everyone that came off the bench, too, were good,” Cooper said. “But Joel really controlled the game and he was set up by very strong forward (play.)”

The match featured strong and physical play from both sides, with several Warrior players having to leave early due to injury. But according to Cooper, there was definitely one side that proved the more physical throughout.

“I think Chicago is one of the more physical teams, but we were the physically dominant team today, and we deserved that win,” Cooper said.

With the win Utah improves to 1-1 on the season and earns itself five points with Saturday’s win, for a total of six points on the season. Chicago drops to 1-1 on the year with the loss. Next up for the Warriors is another home match versus the Seattle Seawolves on March 16 at Zions Bank Stadium.

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