NEWS

Raptors Defeat Seawolves in a Battle of Heavyweights
Photo: Steven Seiller – Summit Lights Photography
Raptors Defeat Seawolves in a Battle of Heavyweights
By: Colton Strickler, MLR Correspondent
The Glendale Raptors took their 1-0 record to the Pacific Northwest for a rain-soaked slugfest against the Seattle Seawolves on Saturday night.
In front of a sold-out crowd at Starfire Sports Complex and under the pouring rain, the Raptors (2-0) made the most of their chances and were able to defeat a strong Seawolves (1-1) side by a score of 19-15.
It was apparent what kind of match it was going to be early on. With arguably two of the strongest packs in Major League Rugby, it was going to be settled by the forwards, and it was up to each side’s backline to put their forwards in a position to succeed. The Raptors did that by exploiting the space behind Seattle’s line.
“We spoke all week about winning the physicality,” Raptors’ forwards’ coach Ted Browner said via text message. “We need to do that to allow us to play our pattern.”
Any time Glendale fly-half Will Magie or fullback Maximo De Achaval had the opportunity to kick, they took it and were able to keep the field positioning in their favor as a result. According to Seawolves’ scrumhalf Phil Mack, Glendale’s ability to stay organized and catch Seattle when they weren’t organized was ultimately the difference in the match.
“We knew that they were going to be organized and I think looking at this competition, the teams that can stay organized the longest seem to be having some successful results,” Mack said over the phone after the loss. “I think Glendale was really organized in areas that I think we were lacking. They are an organized team and they know what they’re doing as a squad, so full credit to them.”
After some ping pong by both Glendale and Seattle’s counter-attacks, Seattle was called for not rolling away down inside their territory, and Magie capitalized with a penalty kick to get the scoring started.
A penalty shortly after the ensuing kick-off saw the Raptors pack – down three starters from last week – face off against a Seattle scrum that forced the San Diego Legion to commit three penalty tries. Seattle was able to get a push for a majority of the evening, but Glendale never ran from an opportunity to scrum.
“Our lads stayed with the pattern for 80 minutes,” Browner said. “They trusted our processes and we think that showed in the last 20 minutes.”
Glendale was able to work down into the Seawolves territory multiple times, but the Seawolves’ defense held strong. The pressure they were able to put on Glendale’s backline, combined with the rain, led to several handling issues.
According to Mack, the handling issues were a representation of both team’s willingness to take the necessary chances they needed to win.
“The way the game is played now you have to take chances or you won’t be successful,” Mack said. “We wanted to spin the ball and so did they, and that was a large reason that there were so many handling errors because both teams weren’t afraid to make mistakes.”
Some more back and forth eventually put Magie in a position to convert on his second penalty kick of the evening, and he gave Glendale a 6-0 lead. The Raptors took the ensuing kick off right back down into Seattle territory, but the knock-ons in the Glendale backline would again grind the advance to a halt.
Having retreated a few meters out, Raptors’ flanker Zach Fenoglio received the ball in space and snuck a grubber right behind the Seawolves’ fullback. He chased his own kick and was rewarded with the first try of the match. Magie couldn’t convert the kick and the Raptors settled into an 11-0 lead.
The Seawolves made sure that they didn’t go into the sheds empty handed though. Seattle’s Brock Staller nailed a penalty kick to cut into the Raptors lead right before halftime.
Glendale began the second half the same way they began the match. They kicked to space and waited for the chances to present themselves.
Glendale worked their way down deep into Seattle territory before the Seawolves’ flanker Vili Toluta’u poached the ball and took it all the way across midfield. Magie then intercepted a Seawolves’ pass and kicked back down into Seattle territory, stopping their first real chance before it ever began.
The next pivotal play came on a Glendale lineout when Raptors’ scrumhalf Shaun Davies shifted the Seattle defense with a dummy that allowed him to slice deep behind the line. Flanker Peter Dahl sent the ball to wing Harley Davidson a few phases later and he dotted the ball down in the corner for Glendale’s final try of the match. Glendale led 16-3 after the missed conversion.
On their next possession, the Seawolves answered back with a big scrum that led to a Raptors’ penalty. Mack quick-tapped the ball and pushed Glendale back to their own zone, allowing Toluta’u to finish off the try.
It seemed like the Seawolves’ pack was beginning to wear down the Raptors.
“I think it was due to our forwards exerting a bit of pressure on them and they started to kind of get the upper hand in the scrum,” Mack said. “I just decided to have a go and luckily the boys reacted according got one over the line. I thought our forwards played phenomenally well tonight.”
Staller converted the kick and the Raptors lead by six with time winding down.
Glendale’s next possession turned out to be the most important one of the match. The Raptors worked their way into Seattle territory and forced Seattle into committing a penalty in the scrum. Magie converted the penalty kick which put the game on ice.
Despite being down 19-10, Seattle didn’t quit. They were able to muscle their way down the field for one last try as time expired. George Barton was awarded the try, Staller missed the conversion and the Raptors escaped victorious.
Seattle’s late efforts earned them a bonus point and also showed Mack what his team can do.
“I think to put a try in like that given the scoreline just shows the belief that the boys have in each other,” Mack said. “When you do have a squad that’s building, the guys are playing for each other and not giving up. You can do a lot of things with a squad that doesn’t quit. I’m extremely happy with that.”
The Raptors moved into sole possession of first place with the win while the Seawolves dropped down to second. Glendale will travel to Utah to take on the Warriors next Saturday while Seattle will enjoy a week off.
Scoring
Glendale Raptors
Tries: Zach Fenoglio, Harley Davidson
Penalties: Will Magie (3/4)
Conversions: Will Magie (0/2)
Scoring
Seattle Seawolves
Tries: Vili Toluta’u, George Barton
Penalties: Brock Staller (1/1)
Conversions: Brock Staller (1/2)
Colton can be reached at colton@usmlr.com
Photo: Steven Seiller - Summit Lights Photography
Recent Posts

How to Watch: Mar 25-26
Find information on how to watch every MLR match this weekend. For

First XV | WK5
Loosehead Prop, Jack Iscaro - Old Glory DC 51 Meters Run 23

Cole Keith Reaches 50 Caps
On Sunday, March 19th, Cole Keith became the thirty-seventh player in Major League

Mike Sheppard Reaches 50 Caps
On Saturday, March 18th, Mike Sheppard became the thirty-sixth player in Major League

Will Leonard Reaches 50 Caps
On Saturday, March 18th, Will Leonard became the thirty-fifth player in Major League
Categories
- Austin Gilgronis
- Chicago Hounds
- Dallas Jackals
- Expansion
- Games
- Headlines
- Highlights
- Houston SaberCats
- In the News
- LA Giltinis
- League Announcements
- MLR Collegiate Draft
- MLR News
- New England Free Jacks
- New York Ironworkers
- NOLA Gold
- Old Glory DC
- Press Releases
- Rugby ATL
- San Diego Legion
- Seattle Seawolves
- Team News
- Toronto Arrows
- Trades
- Utah Warriors
- Videos
Archives
- March 2023 (20)
- February 2023 (17)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (4)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (7)
- September 2022 (4)
- August 2022 (3)
- July 2022 (8)
- June 2022 (46)
- May 2022 (71)
- April 2022 (56)
- March 2022 (58)
- February 2022 (55)
- January 2022 (13)
- December 2021 (8)
- November 2021 (10)
- October 2021 (15)
- September 2021 (11)
- August 2021 (17)
- July 2021 (60)
- June 2021 (63)
- May 2021 (67)
- April 2021 (49)
- March 2021 (35)
- February 2021 (14)
- January 2021 (15)
- December 2020 (14)
- November 2020 (7)
- October 2020 (13)
- September 2020 (13)
- August 2020 (11)
- July 2020 (17)
- June 2020 (14)
- May 2020 (8)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (24)
- February 2020 (42)
- January 2020 (13)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (7)
- October 2019 (9)
- September 2019 (7)
- August 2019 (5)
- July 2019 (11)
- June 2019 (51)
- May 2019 (75)
- April 2019 (88)
- March 2019 (78)
- February 2019 (76)
- January 2019 (51)
- December 2018 (7)
- November 2018 (10)
- October 2018 (8)
- September 2018 (12)
- August 2018 (14)
- July 2018 (10)
- June 2018 (46)
- May 2018 (43)
- April 2018 (34)
- March 2018 (25)
- February 2018 (31)
- January 2018 (37)
- December 2017 (10)
- November 2017 (25)
- October 2017 (25)
- July 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (2)