Josh Fields/Arizona Daily Wildcat Members of the Arizona men's club rugby team practice at Rincon Vista Sports Complex on Oct. 11. The Ruggers defeated ASU 38-24 on Sunday in Tempe, their 30th straight victory over the Sun Devils.

Devils winless in last 21 seasons against UA

The Arizona men's club rugby team defeated ASU 38-24 on Sunday in Tempe, the Ruggers' 30th consecutive victory over 21 seasons against the Sun Devils.

Wing Travis Frenzel and halfback Doug Hood each had two tries for Arizona (3-0), which almost squandered a late 14-point lead.

With the score 26-12 and time winding down in the second half, ASU center Chris Margaret intercepted a pass by the Ruggers' Matt Buppert and returned the ball 99 yards to cut the Ruggers' lead to 7.

Arizona went on to outscore ASU (1-1) 12-5 to clinch the victory.

"We played hard and deserved to win," said Arizona head coach Dave Sitton in a press release. "The Devils never quit when we play them."

Sun Devils hooker Tim Joynt shrugged off three defenders a minute into the second half to cut Arizona's lead to 16-12.

The Ruggers responded with tries by Frenzel and prop Josh Bart, who scored after ASU mishandled a Mark Gallo punt.

The Sun Devils registered an early 5-point lead on an uncontested try, but Arizona's Gallo hit two field goals to put the Ruggers up by 1 and ahead for good.

Wing Dan Hafner and Hood each scored tries to send Arizona to a 16-5 halftime lead.

The Ruggers compete in their only home game of the fall season Saturday against New Mexico at 1:30 p.m. at Estevan Park, 1000 N. Main St.