Academy Completes Comeback Over Canada U20 East

News Jul-6-2022

Academy Completes Comeback Over Canada U20 East

The Toronto Arrows Academy fought back to claim a 26-20 victory over Canada U20 East at Brampton RFC on Tuesday evening.

Flanker Dan Svoboda scored twice in his Academy debut, while winger Noah Van Dam and centre Liam McLaughlin also crossed over for the Young Arrows. Fly-half Adam McNee added three conversions.

The match, serving as the finale of Rugby Canada’s four-day national age-grade camp, was a back-and-forth affair that played out over three 25-minute periods.

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Canada U20 East jumped out to an early 10-point lead through a converted try and penalty goal, but it was halved just prior to the first interval when Aidan Vachon sprung a streaking Van Dam along the touchline.

A second converted try from the national side put Canada U20 East ahead by 12, but the Academy responded through Svoboda; Van Dam turned provider for the try, popping a short-range pass along the goal line to the flanker for the tally. McNee’s conversion reduced the Arrows’ deficit to five points heading into the final intermission.

The Academy took their first lead shortly after the second water break, with Svoboda barging across for his brace. A Canada U20 East penalty saw the pendulum swing back in the national program’s favour, but the one-point advantage would be short-lived. After several bruising phases inside Canada U20 East’s 5, the Academy found their breakthrough via a rampaging McLaughlin, who muscled through a trio of tacklers to put the Arrows ahead – this time for good. McNee’s conversion brought the lead to six.

The national side pushed back in the final minutes of the match, but the Academy’s defence held firm to secure the come-from-behind victory.

“Canada U20 East really controlled possession in the early stages of the match, and we were a little slow to get started, but we got rolling later in the game and put in some good physical play and continuity,” said Academy Coach Adam Maahs.

The Arrows’ lineup, similar to previous matches in 2022, reflected the Academy’s regional model by featuring players from across Ontario and Quebec.

“We’re aiming to meet our guys where they’re at to get them as much training as possible, whether that’s at various sites across Ontario or in the Montreal area,” added Maahs. “We were very happy to have a captain’s run last night to get the guys on the same page and to be able to come out and put together a strong performance. Hopefully we can repeat that in our upcoming games.”

Several additional Arrows Senior Team and Senior Academy players featured for the national side on Tuesday evening, with Bauer Mercer, David Scollon, Caleb Hickey, Adam Doyle, Josh Eustace, Noah Flesch, James Webb, Kobe Faust and Sam Reimer all previously suiting up for the Arrows in 2022.

“It can only benefit both teams to have the best calibre game that each of us can play available to us,” said Maahs. “I hope that this was valuable for Canada’s under-20 selection process to see their guys really pushed to their limits, and for us as well, we’re happy to get our guys exposure in tight games where every little inch matters.”

Further Academy fixtures, including a pair of matches in late July, will be announced in the coming days.