Canada’s West Selects victorious over Toronto Arrows Academy in opening round match of Coast to Coast Cup
Rugby Canada Development Academy
Canada’s West Selects were victorious in their Coast to Coast Cup opening round match versus Toronto Arrows Senior Academy on Tuesday, May 31.
June 2, 2022 (Halifax, NS) - Canada’s West Selects were victorious in their Coast to Coast Cup opening round match versus Toronto Arrows Senior Academy on Tuesday, May 31. The West Selects put forth a complete effort to capture a 69-19 win at Graves-Oakley Memorial Park in Halifax, NS.
A commanding statement in game dominance and active ‘go-forward’ rugby is the way to describe the CanWest Selects game vs the Toronto Arrow Senior Academy. Tuesday’s match marked the first time the entire team had competed together after being separated in preparation through Mainland and Island groupings.
Despite the lack of familiarity amongst the West Selects, the group managed to exit the first half with a 28-point to zero halftime lead, with Dawson Fatoric, Talon McMullin, Cody Nhanala and eventual Man of the Match Izzak Kelly registering tries, bolstered by four successful conversions from Grayden Bowd, who dealt with a very stiff wind at his back for the entirety of the half.
In the second, the West Selects team could not be tempered. Fullback Mike Moloney was masterful in his footwork to touchdown a try within the first minute of the second half. The West had a couple of miscues and a proud Arrows team came right back with a try and a conversion to make it 33-7.
The Arrows were undaunted and would trade a couple of more tries with the West up to the 76th minute, with a final dagger from the West Selects by Talon McMullin, going over for his second try with just five seconds left in the match. The resounding victory was indicative of the West’s successful Coastal Cup in the fall of 2021 and success during the BC Men’s Premier League.
“We’re very excited to be able to show the progress that is being made in the West through what’s been on offer and take it across the country to test ourselves against the emerging best from their regions,” said West Selects head coach Phil Mack.
Next up, Canada West Selects take on the Atlantic Selects at 2:00 PM PT on Saturday in a winner-takes-the-crown face off. The match will stream live on The Rugby Network.