Petzer stars as Raptors rip through Warriors

A record-setting performance from Robbie Petzer propelled the Glendale Raptors to a 64-22 victory over the Utah Warriors at Infinity Park on Saturday evening. Petzer’s 34 points set a new individual mark, while the 64 points tied the team mark set by the Toronto Arrows against Utah earlier this season.

The early going were very much in Utah’s favor, the Warriors running out to 10-0 lead. Tim O’Malley landed a penalty goal and the first try came after Murphy Taramai was binned for a reckless aerial collision with Josh Reeves. Josh Anderson exploited the extra space, his long strides taking him around the outside defense for the try.

Petzer landed a penalty goal in the 16th minute and then Fetu’u Vainikolo was shown yellow for a cynical foul. The momentum swung completely when Dylan Taikato-Simpson put John Ryberg into the corner for his record-stretching 12th try of the season, with Petzer’s extras drawing the scores level.

A 14-point explosion followed, all scored by the star inside center. Malon Al-Jiboori’s offload put Petzer in under the sticks for the first try. The second was a super solo effort, Utah’s defense too slow to react and Petzer flying through on a hard line off Shaun Davies.

Glendale wrapped up the bonus point before halftime. Taramai stole a Utah throw-in and two phases later who else but Petzer was through a half gap. Gannon Moore caught him but the offload to Chad London was picture-perfect to set up another seven-pointer.

The Raptors brought the house down with one of the tries of the season straight from the second half kickoff. Starting inside their own 22, Chad Gough broke free on the left side and his inside pass was scooped up in one hand by Taikato-Simpson. The fullback finished the routine two-on-one, finding Davies on his right to take it the last 30 meters.

Utah would finally get their second when Moore sped through a gap to score under the posts. Celebrations were short-lived, however as Taikato-Simpson and London scored in quick succession, the latter’s double coming off a flat pass from Petzer.

London returned the favor with an offload to Petzer for his hat trick. Matt Jensen would reach out of a tackle to grab a consolation score for Utah, but the final say went to the Raptors as Mika Kruse picked off an errant pass to run into the corner. Petzer’s last kick of the day just missed the posts, the only blight on an otherwise sensational performance.

The win keeps Glendale’s playoff hopes alive as they now target a road win over the Houston SaberCats next Saturday. Utah pack their backs for Toronto where they will face the Arrows at Lamport Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

SCORING

GLENDALE 64
Tries – J. Ryberg (18′), R. Petzer 3 (23′, 25′, 71′), C. London 2 (35′, 60′), S. Davies (41′), D. Taikato-Simpson (56′), M. Kruse (77′)
Cons – R. Petzer 8/9 (19′, 24′, 26′, 36′, 42′, 57′, 61′, 72′)
Pens – R. Petzer 1/1 (16′)
Yellow cards – M. Taramai (10′)

UTAH 22
Tries – J. Anderson (11′), G. Moore (52′), M. Jensen (74′)
Cons – T. O’Malley 2/2 (12′, 53′), J. Reeves 0/1
Pens – T. O’Malley 1/1 (9′)
Yellow cards – F. Vainikolo (17′)

 

TEAMS

GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Noah Barker (16 Max Lum 53′), 2 Chad Gough (17 Blake Rogers 73′), 3 Marco Fepulea’i (18 Kelepi Fifita 3′), 4 Brendan Daly (19 Kody O’Neil 62′), 5 Luke White, 6 Malon Al-Jiboori, 7 Peter Dahl (20 Connor Cook 48′), 8 Murphy Taramai, 9 Shaun Davies (capt.) (21 Mickey Bateman 66′), 10 Ata Malifa (22 Will Magie 44′), 11 John Ryberg (23 Mika Kruse 53′), 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Chad London, 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson

UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Frikkie de Beer 62′), 2 Jeremy Leber, 3 Angus MacLellan (16 Alex Tucci 55′), 4 Saia Uhila (19 Kenny Scott 73′), 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Ara Elkington, 8 John Cullen (20 Arthur Bergo 53′), 9 Johnny Ika (23 Joseph Nicholls 53′), 10 Josh Reeves, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo (21 Nolan Tuamoheloa 58′), 12 Tim O’Malley (capt.) (22 Josh Whippy 53′), 13 Gannon Moore, 14 Don Pati, 15 Josh Anderson

Not used: 18 Metai Tu’imoala

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Assistants: Robin Kaluzniak (RC) & Cam Pettit (USAR)