“After more than a year of recruiting and planning, followed by four intense weeks of training, it was fantastic to finally see all of the team’s hard work pay off on the pitch. I really have to thank the players for their commitment to the program.”
From Glendale’s first touch they took control on the attack, with their High School All-American Wing, Ryan James, sidestepping the Zoomie’s defense to cap off a three-phase movement and score his first of five tries from a forced turnover in the opening minutes of the match. After another 15 minutes of mixed possession and unforced errors from both sides in the midfield, the Merlins attack switched on. Led by the relentless attacking play of Flyhalf Mika Kruse, the Glendale side notched six more tries spurred by a powerful line-break try from lock and eventual Man-of-the-Match, 17-year-old, Jack Whiting, before the half-time whistle to go into the sheds up 43-0.
The second half continued with more outstanding individual performances and a few flashes of team cohesiveness from the Merlins U20. The center combo of Zach Rademacher and Isiah Puryear gelled to produce four tries. Tight Head Prop, Alec Leddy, stood out as a man amongst boys. Ryan James remained electrifying with every touch. Forrest Hudson came on for only 30 minutes to score two tries from the fullback position, while #8 K-Ray Crowley-Chol, flanker, Hayes Ward, and lock, Jack Whiting rumbled through the defense for notable long-distance tries. With open substitutions in this friendly, all 24 traveling Glendale players played at least 15 minutes of the match. This sets the Merlins U20 up to improve on their overall team play and cohesiveness as they prepare for their first match at Infinity Park vs Regis University on September 9, 2017.
