USA A vs Canada A – Match Report

Great job today everyone, all those emails, calls, Facebooking and Twittering got USA Rugby’s attention! They were able to put together audio of the game along with Canada Rugby, they have promised video later in the week (recorded audio of USA A and Canada A here).

The game started with heavy rains and strong winds, passing and kicking were really effected by the weather. Early in the game the visiting Irish Referee had dialog with both team captains due to repeated infringements. With back and forth break away runs and great defense, Canada scored at the 22nd minute and the conversion was made. Tabatha Stavro of Canada was sin binned at the 30th minute for repeated team infringements. Both teams went to locker room to dry off and half time score is Canada 7 to 0.

The 2nd half kicked off with the rain stopping and the sky clearing up. There were a few subs at halftime but I only caught Stacey Bridges coming in at 2nd row and Katie Hertel coming in at scrumhalf. At the 52nd minute, USA #10 Hannah Stolba found the gap in the middle of the Canadian centers to score underneath the posts. #11 Desiree Markovich hit the conversion and we were tied 7-7.

At the 62nd minute, Canada’s #11 Andrea Burk attempted a 43 meter Penalty Kick that was on target but fell short. Shortly thereafter, USA stole a Canadian scrum and moved down the field with a series of offloads that eventually resulted in a penalty at Canadian 22 meter line. Markovich lined up for a Penalty Kick attempt from the corner and unfortunately misses the kick.

USA replacement Stacey Bridges is yellow carded for a team penalty and Canada chose to go for another Penalty Kick. The kick was missed and USA cleared into touch. On the ensuing line out, Kate Daley was offside and Burk from Canada attempted another PK from the corner. The Penalty Kick was missed and USA quickly executed a perfect drop 22 that was taken by the US well and they moved down the pitch with offloads galore. They were stopped short of the try line and as Stacey Bridges came back from her sin bin you could hear the chants of USA, USA, USA!

The USA had a scrum at Canada’s 22m, Daley went weak and through quick hands the ball got out to Emilie Bydwell who muscled just short of the goal line. Canada held it up and created a maul. As a result Canada stole the ball and made a good clearance into touch. USA chose to go quick and almost scored in the corner, but a questionable knock on was called. Canada had a few break away runs, but the USA back line was able to scramble and contain them. On one such break, Amy Daniels intercepted a pass but was brought down after a 20-30 meter run. USA aggressively rucked and Canada was called for offsides, Markovich attempted another Penalty Kick but it fell short.

After the attempted Penalty Kick the whistle blew to end the game with Canada A defeating USA A 10-7. Thanks all for listening, retweeting, Facebooking and posting comments! USA Rugby has said that they will be posting the delayed video soon, stay tuned for updates!

Want instant score updates? Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and check the blog often!

Purchase your YSC USA vs Canada shirt NOW (all proceeds go to USA WNT) here.