SHAWNIGAN LAKE, B.C. – In the second game of Tuesday’s North America 4 doubleheader, the USA Falcons came from behind in exciting fashion to beat Canada East 26-22 at the Shawnigan Lake School in B.C.
“It shows a lot of grit and commitment to come back the way we did after the first half,” Falcons captain Rikus Pretorius said. “These guys continue to put it all out there. It’s becoming a trend with this team.”
The game started with much physicality and the Falcons had the first chance at points with penalty outside the East's 22 in the third minute. Flyhalf Nese Malifa lined it up, but came up short and while the Falcons were able to maintain pressure in the Canadians' 22, they ultimately came away empty-handed.
In the eighth minute, the Falcons were penalized for crossing on a scrum just outside their own 22. Canada West fly-half Steven Piatek lined up the penalty goal but pushed it wide. There was certainly intention to play from both sides, but handling errors ended all good opportunities before either side could score. Good Falcons' pressure led to another shot at the posts in the 20th minute, but once again Malifa just missed.
In the 24th minute, Canada East was finally able to mount some pressure pushing the Falcons into their own 22. Malifa looked to clear his lines but was charged down by Stu Ault. The big lock followed up the ball and was able to drop on it over the line for the first try of the game. Piatek was good with the conversion as Canada East led 7 - 0.
Piatek would add a penalty goal to make it 10-0 by the 30th minute, when Canada East worked another good attacking play. Canada East used an overlap at center to great effect; Jordan Kozina was able to take it up a gear, scoring on the left wing. Piatek's conversion was wide as Canada East moved to their biggest lead of the game at 15-0.
The visitors replied with a foray into the East's half, earning a penalty. Winger Zachary Pangelinan stepped up to put the Falcons on the board with a penalty goal. The Falcons perked right up after scoring and looked very dangerous just before the break, with only a dropped ball preventing Errol Allard from going over in the corner and Canada East secured the 15-3 lead at half-time. Early in the second half, the Falcons applied the pressure and were awarded a kickable penalty. Pangelinan made it count and closed the gap to 15-6.
Ten minutes into the second half Canada East was camped in the Falcons' half but got too ambitious with a long pass. It was easily read by the Falcons' Volney Rouse, who ran the ball back nearly 80 meters to score under the posts. With the conversion, the U.S. Falcons pulled within two points at 15-13.
In the 57th minute, the Falcons mounted another attack that was thwarted at a ruck near the center. The reason was entering from the side, which meant that Canada lost Doug Wooldridge to the sin bin. Pangelinan made it count with a huge strike of the ball that sailed through the posts. The Falcons took their first lead of the game, 16 - 15. Just minutes later, some wayward kicking by Canada East was punished by Nese Malifa running into a gap. The fly-half was hit hard, but not before he passed wide to Gary Golding.
Still with much work to do, Golding had to fend off East fullback Ciaran Hearn, which he did. The center finished near the posts and the Falcons extended their lead to 23 - 15 with the conversion. In the 68th minute, another Pangelinan penalty goal increased the lead to 26 - 15. Soon afterward Woolridge returned to the field, but the Falcons had scored 13 points in his absence.
Canada East tried desperately to come back, but every effort was thwarted by the Falcons' defense or handling errors. In the dying minutes several altercations saw three players go the sin-bin; Canada East finished with 14 men while the Falcons were reduced to 13.
Desperate to take something from the match, Canada East threw everything at the Falcons. Quick ball from near the goal line was sent wide where Chauncey O'Toole was able to dive over the line. Derek Daypuck made the conversion, which was the final play of the game.
The Falcons won 26 - 22, setting up a compelling encounter on Saturday when they take on Canada West.
“In the tradition of great rivalries, this is a very special feat and I hope the team realizes just how important this win really is,” Coach Ray Lehner said. “We still have a long way to go to where we want to be, but this continues to be a step in the right direction.”
U.S. Falcons (26)
1. Mark Kernen, 2. Mone Laulaupeaalu, 3. Derek Smith, 4. Mark Litke, 5. Jared Wolfgramm, 6. Peter Dahl, 7. Rikus Pretorius (c), 8. Louis Stanfill, 9. Timothy Usasz, 10. Nese Malifa, 11. Zachary Pangelinan, 12. Vaha Esikia , 13. Gary Golding, 14. Errol Allard, 15. Jone Naqica
Replacements:
16. Mate Moeakiola, 17. William Brazier, 18. Jonathan Kollerer, 19. Eddie McKenna, 20. Jesse Taylor, 21. Mose Timoteo, 22. Volney Rouse.
Tries: Rouse, Golding
Con: Pangelinan 2
PGs: Pangelinan 4
Canada East (22)
1. Doug Wooldridge, 2. Mike Pletch, 3. Rogan Verboven, 4. Alex Tapscott, 5. Stu Ault (c), 6. Jebb Sinclair, 7. Nolan Ott, 8. Aaron Carpenter, 9. Colin Brown, 10. Steven Piatek (C), 11. Tyler Wish, 12. James Buchanan, 13. Dan West, 14. Marc Cuglietta, 15. Ciaran Hearn.
Replacements
16. Devin Stubel, 17. Stefan Chapeau, 18. Scott Dunham, 19. Chauncey O'Toole, 20. Jordan Kozina, 21. Steven Shortly, 22. Derek Daypuck.
Tries: Ault, Kozina, O'Toole
Con: Piatek, Daypuck
PGs: Piatek |
Competitions 
