Raptors ground AFA in home finale

Details

Published on Monday, October 29, 2012

Written by Phillipa Snyman

Winbush

The Raptors DI team pulled out all the stops on Saturday to put on a sensational display of rugby to down the Air Force Academy Zoomies 87-5.

After a three-point loss to the Denver Barbarians a week earlier, the Raptors didn’t delay in attempting to redeem themselves by Spencer Scott running in two tries in the first 10 minutes of the game. A succession of tries followed from forwards Austin Welch and Zac Pauga, followed by backs Bradley Winbush and Dustin Croy. The Raptors had the lead at half time 40-5 as 8th man Mike Kenyon slotted five of six conversions.

In the second half, the Raptors kept up the pressure in the last 40 minutes and were able to score eight more tries by backs Iniki Fa’amausili, Justin Pauga, AJ Miller and Croy again. Not to be outdone, substitute forwards Joe Sponem, Matt Doubek and Mike Doran were responsible for putting up 15 points between them. Promising youngster Cody Melphy also added four conversions to the score tally.

“We don’t play against the Air Force Academy on a regular basis,” said Snyman. “We know that they’re a college team and the players are fit, physical and young.

“Therefore we couldn’t be complacent,” said Snyman, “And we had to be prepared for anything that they brought to the pitch.”

Justin Pauga

The Zoomies midfield combination of fly half Austin Halle and inside center Eric Schreck caused a few headaches in the Raptors defense with their line breaks and crossing the gainline. The duo of flanker Kenneth Kinderwater and 8th man Jackson Bristol was a solid combination in the loose play and kept forward momentum for the Zoomies throughout the game. Bristol was exceptional in the lineouts and Kinderwater was rewarded for his hard work with the Zoomies only try of the game.

Raptors prop “Big” Zack Kennedy received Man of the Match for his all-around performance during the game. Kennedy was strong in the scrums, principled in defense and made good yardage on his ball carries.

“I was really impressed with the way the DII players [who stood in for absent DI players] rose to the challenge on Saturday,” said Snyman, “And how they kept up with the speed of the game and their decision making was on par.”

Snyman continued by adding, “It’s encouraging to know that the youth and the depth of the club are at such a high level and that the rugby program is beginning to pay dividends.”

The Raptors DI squad will travel to Utah next Saturday, Nov. 3, to take on the Provo Steelers in their last league match of the fall season.

Match Statistics:

Halftime: Glendale 40, USAFA 5
Full time: Glendale 87, USAFA 5

Glendale tries: Scott (2), Winbush, Welch, Fa’amausili, Justin Pauga, Zac Pauga, Miller, Croy (2), Sponem, Doubek, Doran
Conversions: Kenyon (6), Melphy (4), Max Statler

USAFA tries: Kinderwater