Arkansas State University won an impressive defensive battle against vaunted men's club Glendale Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark.

Both teams were looking to get their spring season started off right. ASU looked to repeat 51-24 to the Raptors in the fall, while Glendale was still smarting from a loss to OMBAC in the Pacific Rugby Premiership; neither had enjoyed an ideal buildup, with weather forcing their practices indoors.

Arkansas State struggled early on with Glendale dominating the scrums, bolstered by USA props Nick Wallace and Ben Tarr. But as the game wore on Arkansas State slowly came back and towards the end of the first half started holding their own. The defenses held firm early on, and it wasn't until 20 minutes in that anyone scores. A long period of seemingly fruitless attacking by ASU finally produced a try when they swung it wide to freshman wing Glenn Eriksen, who chipped a kick over for flyhalf Mike Baska to gather. Baska re-linked with Eriksen, who ran in under the posts. Tomo Hausrrer converted  for a 7-0 lead.

Glendale replied when center Dewon Reed raced in. Former St. Mary's All American Garrett Brewer converted to tie the game. 

That's how the first half ended, and once again the defenses held firm until well into the second half. After 50 minutes ASU freshman wing Preston Weigel left the game injured, and his replacement, Dusty Bates, the younger brother of the "flying Hawaiian" Dale Bates, scampered 30 meters through traffic to touch down. With the conversion ASU led 14-7.

Brewer replied for Glendale, taking it into the corner. His conversion attempt was wide, however, and the Redwolves led 14-12. Both sides tried to run their offensive patterns but were met with defensive pressure, The Arkansas State University defensive line was excellent, with the main reason they gave up territory was when penalized for being offside around the rucks. Still, ASU was good at closing down the space and gave Glendale's high powered offense very little room to move. So no more scoring, and ASU held on 14-12 winners.

“That game could have gone either way," said ASU Head Coach NeMani Delaibatiki. "We both had a really good go at each other. There were times during our game where we didn’t execute the right options, but we kept getting up and grinding till the last whistle. Our forwards were phenomenal eliminating threats at the breakdown, and putting pressure on Glendale go forward balls, and our backs did the same as well cutting down space and time of a very mobile Glendale backline.”

Delaibatiki had much praise for the Glendale program.

“If there was a place I would recommend to my guys to go play after college and remain competitive, Glendale would definitely be one of our top options," said the ASU coach. "We have started a great relationship with Glendale for both home and away matches, with the main focus of building bridges between the two teams by providing our guys with a place to go to after college to go play competitively and the opportunity to find a career up there. Mark Bullock and Andre Snyman have a fantastic team, great organization, and facilities to match it.  We have nothing but respect for the Raptors and when you get an opportunity to play them, you embrace the invitation and stand up to the challenge. Playing Glendale makes us better as a team because they test you everywhere from set pieces, to open play and if you have your guard down, it could be a long day at the office."

Next up for Arkansas State is Davenport University. The Panthers visit ASU Feb 21.

Arkansas State 14
Tries: Eriksen, Bates
Convs: Hausrrer

Arkansas State University Lineuposter.
1. Kuda Makuvire
2. Lourens Erasmus (Vice Captain)
3. Tanner Pope 
4. Alex Goff
5. Jaime Togores 
6. Kirk Pretorius
7. Jono Howard 
8. Austin Bush
9. David Snead
10. Mike Baska
11. Glenn Eriksen 
12. Ricardo Lategan
13. NeMia Qoro
14. Preston Weigel
15. Tomo Hausrrer (Captain)

Reserves:
16. Derrick Riddle
17. Dionino Breda
18. Siaosi Finau
19. Dylan Boast 
20. Zack Allen
21. Blace Walser
22. Dustin Bates
23. Emilio Betanzo

Glendale 12
Tries: Reed, Brewer
Convs: Brewer

​
Glendale Raptors
1.Nick Wallace
2.Giorgi Tsverava
3.Ben Tarr
4.Christian Wiessing
5.Andre Whaley
6.Austin Welch
7.Cristian Sarmento
8.Justin Mitchell
9.Crawford Miller
10.Garrett Brewer
11.Preston Bryant
12.Armandt Peens
13.Dewon Reed
14.Brian Wanless
15.Cody Melphy

Reserves:
16.Jake Turnbull
17.Lindsey Stevens
18.Jack Haward
19.Devin Vaughter
20.Jacob Crawshaw
21.Mose Timoteo
22.Mark Simpson
23.Max Statler

​

See video of the game here: http://vimeo.com/119100866