Glendale survive stern San Diego challenge

For the second week in a row the Glendale Raptors were given a stern challenge by their opponents but once again emerged the winners taking a 31-27 result over the San Diego Legion at Infinity Park on Sunday. The battle up front was particularly intriguing with the San Diego forwards causing significant problems for Glendale with their highly effective driving maul.

First strike went to the Raptors via Will Magie’s boot but the first significant blow came from the Legion. Their forwards set the platform and then finished it off as Sione Tu’ihalamaka showed perfect body position to drive over the line from close range. Dylan Audsley took the kicking duties for San Diego and obliged with the conversion.

A perfect response from the home side came just moments later. Phase play kept the Legion pinned on their line and Maximo de Achaval did his best magician’s impersonation as he stepped back inside several defenders and slipped through under the posts. Magie’s extras gave Glendale the lead but it wouldn’t hold to the break.

Discipline was proving an issue for both sides and the Raptors were also struggling to hold on to the ball with several unforced handling errors. With the Legion in scoring position they capitalised through the lineout drive and Pat Blair was the man to take the honors.

A third score came in almost identical fashion early in the second stanza. This time it was burly prop Dolph Botha getting the touchdown, completing a remarkable hat-trick for the starting front row. Audsley converted and at 21-10 the Legion were threatening to pull away.

Once again the Raptors found a reply, and did so in emphatic fashion. A clinical attacking move ended with Kelepi Fifita showing an impressive turn of pace to blast through the Legion’s line and score a highlight-reel try. Another came through a more traditional source as flying winger Seth Halliman tiptoed his way down the sideline and stutter-stepped past the cover to reclaim the lead for Glendale.

Audsley brought the scores level with a well-struck penalty and followed it up with a second to take the lead after a Zach Fenoglio indiscretion. The Glendale flanker would make it up to his team soon after. Shaun Davies opted for a tap penalty on the 5 meter line and his brave decision was rewarded as Ata Malifa cut back inside to set up Fenoglio for a simple pick and drive over the line.

Glendale looked to be home and dry with Magie’s conversion making it a four-point game but JP du Plessis ripped the ball away to give San Diego one last throw of the dice. More penalties gave the Legion promising field position and a score appeared imminent. This time it was San Diego’s handling that let them down, the ball spilling forward with the line almost within arm’s reach. The final whistle sounded and the Raptors stood elated in victory.

Both teams will kick their feet up next weekend with only two Major League Rugby matches scheduled. Glendale in fact have two weekends off, not returning until June 3 at New Orleans. San Diego are back in action on May 25 for an away match against Austin Elite.

 

SCORING

GLENDALE 31
Tries – M. de Achaval (18’), K. Fifita (49’), S. Halliman (60’), Z. Fenoglio (75’)
Cons – W. Magie 4/4 (19’, 50’, 61’, 76’)
Pens – W. Magie 1/1 (11’)

SAN DIEGO 27
Tries – S. Tu’ihalamaka (14’), P. Blair (39’), D. Botha (46’)
Cons – D. Audsley 3/3 (15’, 40’, 47’)
Pens – D. Audsley 2/3 (66’, 72’)

 

TEAMS

GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Blake Rogers, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (19 John Quill 48’), 3 Kelepi Fifita, 4 Kody O’Neil (20 Brian Wanless 59’), 5 Luke White (16 Devin Vaughter 67’), 6 Zach Fenoglio, 7 Peter Dahl, 8 Sam Figg, 9 Shaun Davies (capt.), 10 Will Magie, 11 Seth Halliman, 12 Ata Malifa, 13 Bryce Campbell (22 Chad London 59’), 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Maximo de Achaval

Not used: 17 Nick Kwasniewski, 18 James Del Bozque, 21 Kevin Lynch, 23 Nick Johnson

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Sione Tu’ihalamaka (17 Tony Purpura 53’), 2 Pat Blair, 3 Dolph Botha (18 Nathan Sylvia 66’), 4 Lance Lamprecht (19 Aaron Mitchell 70’), 5 Jay Harmon (20 Drew Gaffney 53’), 6 Chris Turori, 7 Devin Short, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Nick Boyer, 10 Ben Cima, 11 Ryan Matyas (22 Brett Thompson 59’), 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Anthony Salaber, 14 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 15 Dylan Audsley

Not used: 16 Gil Covey, 21 Tadhg Leader, 23 Faitala Talapusi

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Adam Leal (RFU)
Assistants: Scott Green (USAR) & Steve Gore (USAR)
TMO: Marc Nelson (USAR)