USA Tomahawks 36 – 14 Canada Wolverines
The United States for a third year in a row have won the Colonial Cup. The win now takes the USA to a 75% win-loss record for the year and maintains their dominance over the Canadians. The first game in Toronto saw the Americans also Win 28-24 and this win gave them the 2-0 lead to take the cup.
The match was a case of opportunities lost for the Canadians. Having travelled to Westport with high expectation, the Wolverines needed to win by 5 or more to take the Colonial Cup for the first time.
The Match started well enough for the Canadians. A penalty goal gave them a 2-0 lead in the first two minutes. However several unforced errors say the Americans gain field advantage and Damian O’Malveny was able to cross over for their first try. Ten minutes later O’Malveny, their half-back, was over once again and the Tomahawks took a commanding 12-2 lead.
However at this point the Canadian defence was able to plug the holes. A a potential opportunity for a 4 pointer was ruined when a double movement was called and gave the Americans some breathing space. It became a war of attrition for the last 10 minutes both teams throwing everything at each other but no breaches in the defences. It was obvious that O’ Malveny was going to have a large influence setting up many of the plays that threatened the Canadian line.
After the break, It was the Wolverines that came out of the blocks there was a big scare go through the Tomahawk camp as O’Malveny went down in screaming pain. There was worry that he had injured his Achilles, but ultimately it was a cramp that was treated. The Canadians were able to hit back with two quick fire tries through Christian Miller and Louis Robinson This took them to the lead 12-14 and they seemed to have all the momentum.
But like in Toronto it took something unexpected to once again shift the momentum of the match. A 40/20 to O’Malveny in the 55th minute saw the Americans get a commanding position 15 meters out and this was the platform that they were able to launch their next raid. A minute later Hawaiian flyer Dusten Umeda was able to cross over for the Tomahawks third try and regain the lead 18-14.
The Canadians then had another opportunity go begging when they spilled the ball over the mine, from this the Americans were able to push once more and from O’Malveny setting the play up again Umeda went over for his second. It was a fantastic return from injury for Damien who had taken a shoulder injury during the Donnybrook Cup.
From there it was all America. Frustration in the Canadian ranks led to many unforced errors and that allowed the US to capitalize. Two more tries to Curtis Cunz and Louis Tulio on full time sealed the deal for them and retain the Colonial Cup. For his return performance Damien O’Malveny got the Man of the Match.
USA 36 (12)
Tries: O’Malveny (2), Umeda (2) Cunz, Tulio
Goals: Walsh, Fisher (5)
Canada 14 (2)
Tries: Miller, Robinson
Goals: Robinson (2)
Penalty Goal: Robinson
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