Fall To Aspen In Home Opener

The Glendale Raptors scored first and led briefly midway through the first period against Western Rugby League rival Gentlemen of Aspen in the home opener at Infinity Park South here before the switch flipped and Aspen roared ahead in the second half of play.

Aspen came into the game leading Glendale by only three points in Division I league competition. When the two teams met last October Glendale dominated, winning 50-28. The game and balmy spring weather drew more than 500 to Infinity Park.

On an afternoon when Aspen successfully neutralized Glendale’s attempts at goal, the Raptors used the kicking game to keep the score close. Aspen led by a score of 9 to 12 at halftime. There were less than six minutes left in the final period, however, before Glendale finally grounded the ball in the opposition’s goal area. By then the home team was trailing 38 to 9.

Aspen picked off a Raptor pass and returned it for a Try to open the second period. That lapse dropped Glendale into a scoring crater from which they could never recover.

Glendale Division I men play the Kansas City Blues in Kansas City March 27 followed by a home game against Boulder at Infinity Park on April 3.

The Glendale Raptors scored first and led briefly midway through the first period against Western Rugby League rival Gentlemen of Aspen in the home opener at Infinity Park South here before the switch flipped and Aspen roared ahead in the second half of play.

Aspen came into the game leading Glendale by only three points in Division I league competition. When the two teams met last October Glendale dominated, winning 50-28. The game and balmy spring weather drew more than 500 to Infinity Park.

On an afternoon when Aspen successfully neutralized Glendale’s attempts at goal, the Raptors used the kicking game to keep the score close. Aspen led by a score of 9 to 12 at halftime. There were less than six minutes left in the final period, however, before Glendale finally grounded the ball in the opposition’s goal area. By then the home team was trailing 38 to 9.

Aspen picked off a Raptor pass and returned it for a Try to open the second period. That lapse dropped Glendale into a scoring crater from which they could never recover.  The final score was Glendale Raptors 14 - Aspen 45.

Glendale Division I men play the Kansas City Blues in Kansas City March 27 followed by a home game against Boulder at Infinity Park on April 3.