The USA and Canadian U20 sides did battle yesterday in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the first of a two-match series.
The Junior Eagles triumphed with a dominant 43 – 21 victory built on the back of some exceptionally creative backline play.
Canada would start the fixture well, going into a 7 – 0 lead courtesy of a well-taken try from a driving maul inside the opening minutes.
However, it would be all USA for the next 40+ minutes as the hosts smothered their visitors with constant pressure in both attack and defence.
One moment that will haunt the Canadians was the Eagles try on the stroke of halftime.
Chasing back from a clearing kick that the US had put through, the Canadian defence made a hash of a bouncing ball to concede the cruellest of tries.
Failing to secure the bouncing ball, the Canadian fullback Owain Cormack had the ball kicked from his grasp by the onrushing USA Backrow Cameron McAlpine.
From here the ball trickled towards the upright before bouncing in the grateful hands of USA winger Sosaia Pongi.
The Rugby ball is a cruel mistress sometimes, and this was a reminder always to take the ball on the first attempt as we have all been there with a bouncing ball!
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