The Glendale Raptors ran out to a 45 – 12 halftime lead and coasted to an entertaining 76 – 19 victory over the visiting Portland team, ORSU (Oregon Sports Union).

ORSU got on the board first with a fine try for a set piece move that saw the outside center break the Raptor midfield defense to touch down under the posts.  The conversion was good for an early 7 – 0 lead.  Two minutes later the Raptors were awarded a penalty when an ORSU defender sealed the ball.  Inside center Justin Howley did the honors, kicking the first of two penalties on the day. On the day Howley would have a 100% kicking effort as he also kicked ten successful conversions.

The penalty kick would unleash a rash of Raptor scoring during the rest of the first half as number eight Ryan Chapman would score three tries in the next thirty minutes.  First over for the Raptors was openside flanker Mike Kenyon as he took an offload pass from scrum half Brad Winbush to burst pass the defense.  Chapman began his onslaught his he took the ball over from a lineout drive that started on the eight meter line.  His next scoring opportunity would come eight minutes later; following a number of rucks Chapman received a short pass to pop over for his second try.

ORSU would bounce back by scoring an unconverted try which followed a period of sustained pressure on the Raptor try line.  The Raptors responded by stringing together six phases of play ultimately freeing fullback Mike Joslin to slice through the ORSU defense for a try under the posts.  Three minutes later wing Tim Muraguri outpaced the ORSU defense when he ran back an intercept try.
Chapman’s third try was a beauty as the Raptors keep the ball alive going through three phases following the kickoff as Chapman provided excellent support as Joslin broke the line and off loaded the ball to the fast moving number eight as he finished the first half scoring; 45 – 12.

The Raptors struck quickly after the half scoring in the third minute. Following an ORSU turnover lock Keith Dauper took an accurate pass from prop Mike Tafel to go over untouched.
The next eighteen minutes would witness a see-saw battle between the two sides as both defenses stood their ground.  The ORSU defense broke first as the Raptors defense produced a turnover.  Howley took the ball and, kicking over the top, raced ahead to re-gather the ball and score under the post.

ORSU quickly responded to attack the Raptor line and following a penalty number eight Mike Lewis bulled over Chapman to score the converted try 59 – 19.

The Raptors maintained the pressure until the end of the match as two members of the tight five, prop Pat Carroll, who had a monster of a match, and explosive lock Colby Kneep completed the days scoring.
The Raptors next match is September 11 in Omaha against the GOATS (Greater Omaha Area Touring Side).