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The five game unbeaten streak is over for the Glendale Raptors, as they crashed to a 31-19 defeat at the hands of Rugby United New York at MCU Park on Sunday. RUNY’s forwards dominated the first half and Glendale never recovered, with a slew of unforced errors leaving the 2018 finalists frustrated.
It looked as if Mike St. Claire was being controlled by a joystick as he stepped and accelerated through the entire Glendale backline to score the opening try. Not to be outdone, however, Dylan Taikato-Simpson took a loose kick and calmly scythed through the New York defense for his own sensational 75-meter individual effort.
That would be about the only positive for the Raptors through to halftime. New York’s scrum was doing its best steamroller impression and Glendale couldn’t get any possession at the lineout with the wind and Nate Brakeley playing the disruptor role in tandem.
Ross Deacon thundered ahead after a Raptors throw-in sailed over the lineout. The influential New York No8 was eventually brought down but the attack continued until James Denise burrowed over from close range. Soon after Dylan Fawsitt crossed from the back of a driving maul, and then came the coup de grace just before the intermission.
A try appeared certain for Glendale as they worked their way to within a few meters of New York’s line. The ball was dropped, however, and from the ensuing scrum Deacon made yardage from the back before passing to Ben Foden.
Luke Hume was next on the chain and he grubbered down the sideline, the ball taking a wicked bounce of the head of Taikato-Simpson and into the arms of a hard-charging Mike Petri. The scrumhalf sent a backhander to Hume, who in turn fired a speculative bounce-pass to Connor Wallace-Sims. One last connection with Mark O’Keeffe sealed the length-of-the-field effort that left the Raptors in tatters.
Denise was sent to the bin for team infringements just before the teams walked into the change rooms to leave New York shorthanded at the start of the second half. Glendale on this occasion took full advantage with a searing break up the middle from Will Magie finished off the Shaun Davies.
There was a hint of obstruction on a second St. Claire break but the referee clearly shouted play on. This time Taikato-Simpson was able to stop him short but New York sensed blood and O’Keeffe caught the defense ball-watching and picked a smart line to touch down under the posts.
The Raptors would get a consolation core in the 65th minute as Robbie Petzer dummied and swerved his way through on a 25 meter run. There would be no bonus point for Glendale, however, as the smothering New York defense denied the visitors a fourth try.
Accuracy will be a word used heavily during the week as Glendale prepare for their match against the NOLA Gold on Saturday. New York finish the weekend in second place with a road trip so San Antonio on tap next for a date with the recently inspired Austin Elite.
SCORING
NEW YORK 31
Tries – M. St. Claire (7’), J. Denise (22’), D. Fawsitt (29’), M. O’Keeffe 2 (38’, 52’)
Cons – C. Mattina 3/5 (8’, 23’, 53’)
Yellow cards – J. Denise (40’)
GLENDALE 19
Tries – D. Taikato-Simpson (16’), S. Davies (42’), R. Petzer (65’)
Cons – W. Magie 2/3 (17’, 66’)
TEAMS
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford (17 Anthony Parry 62’), 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Paddy Ryan (18 Callum Mackintosh 62’), 4 Trevor Cassidy (19 Alex MacDonald 48’), 5 Nate Brakeley, 6 John Quill (20 Matt Hughston 48’), 7 James Denise, 8 Ross Deacon (16 Mike Brown 74’), 9 Mike Petri (capt.) (21 Marcus Walsh 71’), 10 Chris Mattina, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Mike St. Claire (23 Quentin Pradère 67’), 13 Mark O’Keeffe (22 Harry Bennett 55’), 14 Luke Hume, 15 Ben Foden
GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Noah Barker, 2 Zach Fenoglio (16 Chad Gough 53’), 3 Kelepi Fifita (17 Blake Rogers 60’), 4 Will Munro (20 Malon Al-Jiboori 55’), 5 Luke White (19 Kody O’Neil 67’), 6 Brendan Daly, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Peter Dahl, 9 Shaun Davies (capt.) (21 Carlo de Nysschen 62’ {18 Max Lum 74}), 10 Will Magie, 11 Harley Davidson, 12 Chad London (23 Robbie Petzer 25’), 13 Mika Kruse (22 Ata Malifa HT), 14 Nick Johnson, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Ben Crouse (SARU)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USAR) & Mike O’Brien (USAR)
