Watch This Game

The Glendale Raptors opened the spring season with a victory over the visiting University of Wyoming, 67 – 6.  Glendale ran in eleven tries on the cold and blustery day to two penalty kicks to the Cowboys.

The Raptors scored five minutes into the match when the Wyoming centers spilled a pass and center Mike Graham toed it forward, re-gathered and scored.  He missed the conversion but would eventually be good on six other conversions.  After another Wyoming, turnover flanker Nick Tipton scored in the corner to put the Raptors up 10 – 0.

Wyoming got on the score board with a penalty kick following a penalty against the Raptors for diving over at the breakdown.  Scrum Half Josh Schmitz caught the Cowboy defense napping as he took a quick tap at a penalty and sprinted 30 meters for a converted try.  Wyoming responded with a series of forward attacking movements off the base of the tackle breakdowns to again catch Glendale leaving their feet for another penalty.  The kick was successful bringing the score to 17 – 6.  A Wyoming turnover led to another Tipton try.  In injury time player of the match, number eight, Colin Bartolomeo scored off a further Wyoming turnover to power the Raptors to a 29 – 6 half time score.

The second half saw Glendale shut down the Wyoming attack as Glendale reduced their penalty count, dominated possession, territory and scoring.  Tight head prop Jacob Nelson began the scoring.  Following a lineout and a number of forward attacks, Nelson plunged over under the posts for a converted try.  Three minutes later from a set move, Graham broke free to score the converted try, 39 – 6.

The Cowboys were penalized for coming in from the side and a Raptor quick tap and pass to the backs saw fullback Taylor Howden scamper over for the first of his three consecutive second half tries.  Howden’s, next two tries came off set play moves.  The Raptors final points again came from a Wyoming turnover as inside center Malakai Tabuvuya received a final pass from Fly Half Andre Bachelet to score in the corner for the final score 67 – 6.

Glendale travels to Austin, Texas next weekend to take on the 2007 National Championship runner ups, Austin Blacks.