Canada show Churchill spirit to take the bowl

Sunday 22nd June 2008

Canada bounced back from being 10-0 down at half-time to grab a 26-10 win over the USA Eagles to take the Bowl final of the Churchill Cup in Chicago on Saturday.

The USA held Canada scoreless in the opening forty minutes, with a penalty from Mike Hercus, and a try from Salesi Sika, converted by Hercus.

But Sevens star Nanyak Dala gave Canada the perfect start to the second half with a try, and delivered a man of the match performance to help his team to two more, before rounding off the win with his second try five minutes from time.

Ryan Smith scored a pair of tries as well, in a remarkable turnaround by the Canucks, who survived extended pressure from the USA in the opening quarter and came away with nothing bar two missed James Pritchard penalty attempts.

An adjustment to tactics in the second half saw a quicker and smarter attack, and Bryn Keys, playing on the wing for Justin Mensah Coker, made a break before offloading to Dala at the US 22. Dala did the rest with aplomb.

Then Smith was the benefactor of a poor US line-out throw on their own 5m line, with quick hands turning the ball over to the Canadian side and Smith did the rest.

Smith burst through the middle for his team's third and game-clinching score, and Dala rounded off a flowing backs move for the fourth as the US tired.

The scorers:

For Canada
Tries: Dala 2, Smith 2
Cons: Monro 3

For USA
Try: Sika
Con: Hercus
Pen: Hercus