In something of an upset in Utah's HS league, Snow Canyon edged the Salt Lake Valley Rhinos 38-36 Saturday.

Snow Canyon, which is playing as a club this year after most of its history as a single-school team, was ranked in the GRR Top 30 before dropping out after a 29-0 loss to the West Valley Warriors and stayed out after tying Provo. Meanwhile, Salt Lake Valley vaulted into the rankings after beating United.

So both teams were teams in flux, figuring out where they stood in a very, very competitive Utah Youth Rugby league.

The Rhinos started off the game by scoring a try three minutes, with loose forward Foloti Nau going over for a 5-0 SLV lead. Snow Canyon responded a few minutes later with a try through flanker Carson Kendrick. The conversion was good, and the score was 7-5 in favor of Snow Canyon. The Warriors followed up with tries from flyhalf Ben Beckstrand and inside center Jaden Jimenez, both converted, to make the score 21-5. With only five minutes left in the first half, the Rhinos looked to be in trouble, but they rallied to score two tries and bring the score to 21-17. Zach Howard added two conversions for Snow Canyon and Cort Taylor got one.

But with five minutes left in the half, Rhinos bashed their way over with front-rower Eakalfi Brown touching down. Brown followed that up with another and suddenly it was a one-score game at the break.

Rhinos got out of the gate quickly after halftime. Joe Alusa broke through the line and set up Ami Esikia for a try and a 24-21 lead. Snow Canyon was able to respond with a try from wing Doug Leung-Choi and with Taylor's conversions, Snow Canyon had the lead back at 28-24. 

But the Rhinos weren't done. Alusa once again found space and this time set up and then scored again for a 36-28 lead. 

Snow Canyon could have easily shrugged and accepted a close defeat, but instead they ramped it up in the final ten minutes. Prop Brian Vargas scored off a pick-and-go to close the score to 36-33, Salt Lake Valley in the lead. And then, with almost no time left on the clock, Snow Canyon took lineout around the SLV 22. A good throw and take put the ball into the hands of Snow Canyon's backs, who moved it adroitly out to wing Leung-Choi, who race in for his second try of the day.

And that was it, 38-36 for Snow Canyon, and the upset was complete.

"It was a very well played game between both teams," said Snow Canyon Assistant Coach Mikaera Puriri. "There were many examples of good sportsmanship displayed by the players and coaches of both sides. Despite having only 18 boys jerseyed up for the game, and being heavily out-sized, Snow Canyon showed how big their hearts are, and proved that anything is possible on the pitch."

For his two tries and overall play Leung-Choi was named player of the game, while Alusa's constant line-breaking was a key high point in the Rhinos' attack.

"Overall it was a tough travel down for us, especially making it a day trip for all three age groups," added Rhinos Head Coach Tom Filipe. "I was hoping that we wouldn't have a let-down after our battle the week before versus Genesis. Snow Canyon really did a great job moving the ball into space, and attacked with their forward pack with a fierce pick-and-go that was hard to stop.  Hats off to a great Snow Canyon team and their coach Mike Puriri being a great host to us."