The Glendale Raptors fell to Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) 24-13 in San Diego during week one of the 2015 Pacific Rugby Premiership (PRP) season. The January 31st opener never saw the Raptors find their feet while OMBAC was able to capitalize on penalties.
“It was obviously a bit of first game jitters and we were a bit rusty.” Raptors head coach Andre Snyman said of the team’s road performance. “But we came out strong in the first half, it was anybody’s game.”
Three converted penalties gave OMBAC a slight 9-8 edge over the Raptors at halftime. Dustin Croy’s try (unconverted) and a converted penalty from Mike Graham accounted for Glendale’s first half points.
The home side exploded for back-to-back tries in the second half to jump out to a 21-8 lead in the second half.
Compounding the Raptors’ defensive woes was the absence of props Nick Wallace and Ben Tarr as well as team captain and forward Zach Fenoglio. The trio was missing from the lineup in order to participate in a USA Eagles camp over the weekend.
“Obviously it hurt us not having our starting front row in the scrum.” Snyman explained. “We were under pressure.”
The team was defense boosted by Cristian Sarmento however, whose performance earned him Sports Authority Player of the Match for the Glendale Raptors
“He played absolutely awesome.” Snyman said of Sarmento’s performance. “He really excelled, setting a great example of how to defend. It’s just a pity we didn’t have 14 other guys at the same level that he was.”
Glendale’s last try of the match was scored by Josh Sutcliffe, his first try in the PRP to cut the OMBAC lead to 21-13. But the hosts would tack on another penalty for the game’s final score, 24-13.
“OMBAC played a few warm-up games so obviously they’re a few games ahead of us.” Snyman concluded. “But we’re not panicking. All the mistakes we made are coach-able and fixable.”
The Raptors will again take to the road for their next match, traveling north to face San Francisco Golden Gate (SFGG) in a rematch of last season’s PRP championship match on Feb. 14. (3 P.M.). This league match follows a friendly against Arkansas State in Jonesboro, AR. on Feb. 7.
Following Glendale’s three-game road swing, the team returns to Infinity Park to host the first home game of the season on Feb. 28th. against Belmont Shore.
Tickets are available for purchase online by visiting glendaleraptors.com