SHAWNIGAN LAKE, B.C.- The U.S. Hawks suffered a tough 48-0 loss against its Canada West competition in the first match of Tuesday’s North America 4 doubleheader at Shawnigan Lake School in British Columbia.

“We lost our structure and it just fell apart from there,” Hawks Coach Marty Wiggins said after the match. We didn’t make the first up tackles and the West capitalized. They took the opportunity to push the ball out wide and a large majority of the tries came from out there.”
 
Although a majority of those tries also came in the first half, Canada West suffered from a bit of a jittery start. A series of penalties against the Americans led to several scrums, and lineouts near the try line and eventually Canada West fly-half Matt Evans was able follow the ball around to the left hand corner where he touched down. Unable to convert his own try, Canada West led 5-0.

After the restart, the Hawks strung together some possession, making their intentions known to play a tight game. Hawks' center Mike Graham missed a penalty and Canada West was able to move back into the visitors half in the 20th minute, when Adam Kleeberger broke away from a scrum. A turnover to the Hawks was moved wide, where Byrn Keys picked up a loose ball.

A kick ahead by Keys was followed by a hack ahead. Near the line, Keys hacked once more but was hauled down before he could drop on the ball. After some consultation, the referee awarded a penalty try. Canada West led 12 - 0 with the conversion. In the 25th minute, Canada West was again in the Hawks' end when Sam Jenkins saw some space in behind. His grubber ahead was easily pounced upon by Keys as the Hawks' fullback was nowhere to be seen. With Evans' conversion, Canada West moved to 19-0. From the restart, Canada West countered from their own 22 off an Evans chip kick. A well-executed overlap set away Tom McKeen. The number eight was tackled just before the line, but was able to get the ball to replacement Brock Nicholson, who scored the West's fourth try. Conversion failed and the West led 24-0.

The floodgates had opened by the 31st minute when quick ball let Canada West hit the open spaces at speed. Captain Kleebeger joined the back line and took the ball close to the line from the 22. McKeen was there in support to score Canada West's fifth try and Canada West led 31 - 0 at the break. The second half started with some energetic play, but both sides suffered from numerous handling errors. In the 51st minute, Evans was wide on a kickable penalty for Canada West.

In the 58th minute, Canada West looked dangerous when Sean White broke up the left wing. The Hawks stopped the threat and even tried to counter, but too many infringements at the breakdown saw Keiki Misipeka head to the sin-bin. With the man advantage, Canada West able to move the ball wide where Brock Nicholson crossed for his second try of the game. Winger Ben Grant took the kicking duties but was short on his touchline conversion attempt. Canada West led 36-0 in the 62nd minute. In the 65th minute, Canada West gave up a penalty in their own end. The Hawks looked to take the three points and avoid the shutout. But typical of their luck on the night, the ball rebounded off the posts and stayed out.

In the 70th minute, Canada West worked from a lineout in the Hawks' 22. Kleeberger was able to charge over the line for his second try. Grant missed the conversion again as Canada West moved to 41-0. In the 75th minute, Canada West was awarded a free kick inside the Hawks' 22. Two passes got the ball to Jenkins who scythed through the defence to score another try for the home team. Grant converted to make the score 48-0, which was the final.
Canada West will now face the Falcons on Saturday, July 19th, while the Hawks must regroup to play Canada East. “We are more concerned with the process than the outcome,” Wiggins added “This tournament is far from over and we will continue to analyze video and our players and prepare the same way for the next matches.”

US Hawks
1. Brian Olmes, 2. Phil Thiel, 3. Brian Lemay, 4. Brian Doyle, 5. John Van der Giessen, 6. Josh Dean, 7. Nic Johnson, 8. Pat Quinn, 9. Brendan Thompson, 10. Taylor Howden, 11. Owen Collins, 12. Keiki Misipeka, 13. Mike Graham, 14. Justin Boyd, 15. Justin Hundley.
Replacements
16. Phil Abraham, 17. Jon Vitale, 18. James Denise, 19. Travis Meidinger, 20. Steven Sablan, 21. Shawn Rafferty, 22. Mike Petri.
 
Canada West
1. Hubert Buydens, 2. Emil Christensen, 3. Ben Johnston, 4. Nolan Miles, 5. Struan Robertson, 6. Neil Meechan, 7. Adam Kleeberger (c), 8. Thomas McKeen, 9. Spencer Dalziel, 10. Matt Evans, 11. Tony La Carte, 12. Sam Jenkins, 13. Bryn Keys, 14. Ben Grant, 15. Harry Jones.

Replacements
16. Ryan Hamilton, 17. Dan James, 18. Beau Chapman, 19. Nanyak Dala, 20. Sean White, 21. Nick Blevins, 22. Brock Nicholson.
Tries: Evans, Penalty, Keys, Nicholson 2, Kleeberger 2, Jenkins
Con: Evans 3, Grant
 

---