Canada U20 defeat BC U23 in Langford

The Canada U20 team made their intentions clear barely 2 minutes into the match. They won a penalty 10 metres out from the posts and immediately chose a scrum instead of an easy 3 points. They pushed BC back and were awarded another penalty, again they chose the scrum. Again they pushed the BC scrum backwards, this time #8 Michael Smith picked up the ball and drove the final 5 metres taking a couple of BC defenders with him. Will Percillier starting at scrum half successfully converted the penalty for a 7-0 lead.
 
BC hit right back when a Canada miscue in the backline led to a dropped ball that was kicked through by BC, referee Chris Assmus adjudged the chasing player was illegally interfered with and awarded a penalty try and no conversion necessary, a 7-7 match.
 
It would be a good test of how the team handled early adversity.
 
Nine minutes into the match both teams had forays into the opponent's end of the field but dropped balls killed any momentum. Canada U20 were starting to find their rhythm and stretching the BC defence with quick ball from the breakdown. They worked their way down inside the BC 22 when a bit of indiscipline saw a BC player reach across the ruck to swat the ball out of the scrum half's hands. A quick tap saw the ball passed to big centre, Kevin Vertkas, who powered his way over the line, Will Percillier again converted for a 14-7 Canada U20 lead.
 
Eleven minutes in a nice chip and chase from Jack McCarthy on the wing almost succeeded but good cover work by BC flanker Peyton Eagar prevented the try. Canada retained possession however and again were camped inside the BC 5 metres. BC cleared their zone but they were having problems putting together more than a few phases before losing the ball. Almost 14 minutes into the match and Canada U20 were having their problems as well, dropping balls at key times, it was still 14-7.
 
A turning point was the next BC scrum where Canada U20 turned the ball over. A lot of pressure was coming though from the loosehead side of the scrum which was manned by Canada U20 prop Gavin Kratz. BC won the penalty. Jack Rogers the Canada U20 hooker hit his jumper at the ensuing lineout and Canada U20 efficiently drove over the line for their second try, the conversion missed but it was 19-7 for Canada U20.
 
At 18 minutes Canada U20 turned the ball over, BC were having problems with ball security and the Canada U20 loose forwards were hawk-like on any opportunities. Scrum half Will Percillier who was looking sharp chipped ahead and gathered the ball but couldn't quite evade the defensive cover of Luke Bradley. The ball trickled through the BC goal area.
 
Canada U20 were starting to find their rhythm and were stringing together multiple phases while thinning out the BC defence on a sideline to sideline attack. Jack McCarthy finished off the final phase out wide and crossed the line in the corner, Will Percillier converted, 26-7, and the game was threatening to get away from BC.
 
At 26 minutes the Canada U20 forwards again drove over at the breakdown and won turnover ball. On the ensuing quick tap penalty Brennig Prevost was stopped but centre Seth Purdy picked up the ball and dove over the line, the try was unconverted 31-7, 5 tries to 1 at this point.
 
Will Percillier finished out the first period with a penalty, 34-7, the teams were going to play 3 - 30 minute periods this match.
 
The second period started out with Canada U20 scoring another try as subs started coming on, 41-7 then 48-7 as BC had a hard time getting out of their own half. Canada U20 players knew this was their last chance to impress and the subs were upping the tempo and intensity of the match. Campbell Clarke had come on as #10, Brandon Schellenberger as #9 and Josiah Morra on the wing. Campbell Clarke scored the second try of the period showing some good pace. Schellenberger and Morra combined on what looked like a highlight reel try but it was called back by Chris Assmus for a previous penalty, it only delayed the inevitable as Campbell Clarke scored a second try scooting down the wing and then converting his own try, 55-7, now 20 minutes into the second period.
 
Schellenberger was next to cross the line as BC was tiring and the Canada U20 subs were upping the tempo, this one touched about half a dozen hands on the way to the try line, Campbell Clarke converted 62-7.
 
The Schellenberger to Morra connection finally did click on one that counted and Morra comfortably found the corner and converted by Campbell Clarke, 69-7 at the end of the second half.
 
In the third period a new scrum half came on, Brock Gallagher and he immediately made his case for selection by scoring a try, it's an area the U20 team have depth with Percillier, Schellenberger and Gallagher. It was now 76-7.
 
BC struck back with a try out wide by Nathan Tough, 76-14. He duplicated that a few minutes later with a kick ahead and a try celebrated with a somersault, 76-21. Canada U20 would have the last word however with a chip and chase into the goal area for a try, 81-21.
 
The Canada U20 coaches now have the unenviable task of pruning the side down to 26 players and giving notice to the players who won't be travelling to Romania. The announcement of the travelling squad will be made Monday.
 
BC Coach - Tony La Carte:
From our guys we came together this afternoon so it was tough to gel the team, we didn't get any chemistry until the third period. It was a good chance to look at some of the guys, about 50 players for the U23 program and some guys definitely stepped up today with good individual performances. Hopefully we provided enough of a challenge so the U20 go away with something to work on."
 
Canada U20 coach - Jeff Williams:
I thought it was a good game, we needed to evaluate everyone, we did three periods of thirty minutes and it gave enough time for the coaches to have a good look at the players. We were put under some pressure which is good and what we wanted to see. I thought it was pretty clinical by our boys today so it was good.