USA see off Canada

The USA Tomahawks have extended their unbeaten run against Canada, but got all they could handle from the Wolverines in their 22-16 triumph in Sunday’s Colonial Cup Rugby League international in Kingston, Ontario.

It was all one-way traffic in a first half that saw the US go to the break leading 20-4, but Canada owned the second period.

In the end it was three tries apiece, the difference being a couple of kicks at goal.

The Tomahawks got on top early and set the tone in the first half by completing their sets and making their tackles. US tries were scored by Jared Frymoyer (Philadelphia Fight), Larry Madden (Philadelphia Fight) and Michael Cartwright (New York Knights).

Derrick Roma (New Haven Warriors) converted all scores, while last minute replacement Marcus Vassilakopoulos (Aston Bulls) landed the only penalty goal of the match.

“Those guys [Canada] were well prepared and they played well,” USA coach David Niu said.

“We sort of went to sleep in the second half. We had virtually no ball for 20 minutes of the half, but managed to hold on. We had all of our young guys playing so it was good to see them do well.”

For the Canadians, on their re-introduction to international rugby league, the first half was tough but they started to gel in the second to make a real game of it.

Wolverine tries were scored by Dave Burton, captain/coach Jamie Lester and Danny Tupou. Adam Moody was good on all three conversions.

“I’m obviously proud of the players, we put up a good fight,” said Canada’s Lester.

“We didn’t know what to expect as it was new territory. We knew we had a good team, we just didn’t know how good the opposition would be.”

The North American neighbours last faced each other 10 years ago. Sunday’s result extended the USA‘s winning record over Canada to nine straight dating back to 1993.

The Tomahawks’ win also improved their overall win-loss record to 11-2 all-time in Rugby League internationals.