MATCH REPORT: Arrows Drop Spring Series Opener to Canada Selects

20 May 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONTARIO ARROWS DROP SPRING SERIES OPENER TO CANADA SELECTS

(TORONTO, ON) – The Ontario Arrows fell 19-0 to a well-drilled Canada Selects side on Friday evening, marking the first game of the two sides’ two-match spring series.

With four current Arrows drafted into the Canada Selects’ squad ahead of the match – lock Paul Ciulini, scrum-half Andrew Ferguson, hooker Martial Lagain, and wing Kainoa Lloyd – Friday’s game held extra significance for the coaching staffs of both programs.

The match got off to a slow start at York Lions Stadium, with both teams requiring time to get settled in the windy conditions. Following a spell of strong Selects pressure with Arrows captain Mike Sheppard in the sin bin, the deadlock was broken by lock Ciulini, who inflicted friendly fire as he crossed the whitewash for the national side mid-way through the first half. Fellow Canadian lock Conor Keys doubled the Selects’ try tally at the stroke of halftime as the away side once again capitalized with the man advantage after Arrows prop Clint Lemkus was issued Ontario’s second yellow card of the half. With fly-half Robbie Povey notching both of his first-half conversion attempts, the travelling Selects went into the interval leading 14-0.

The Arrows started the better of the two sides in the second half, and looked to have carved into the Selects’ lead early in the frame via a highlight-reel try from wing John Sheridan, though the score was called back when the pass to spring Sheridan was adjudged to have been forward.

The third try of the night came courtesy of another Arrows member playing for the Selects, Kainoa Lloyd. Using the same speed that allowed the wing to post a four-try performance for the Arrows just two weeks earlier, Lloyd raced around three would-be tacklers and dove in to score a memorable try that increased the national side’s lead to 19-0.

The Arrows would once again come close in the final minutes of the match when No. 8 Kolby Francis appeared to how dotted the ball down with an impressive one-armed finish, but upon review from the match officials, the would-be tally was ruled a knock-on.

“This match featured two strong sides full of Canadian talent going hard at one another,” said Arrows head coach Chris Silverthorn, following the match. “The scoreline may look a little one-sided, especially considering we came very close to scoring on a few occasions, but the fact remains that we’ll have plenty to work on ahead of our second match with the Selects next Friday. There will be some good lessons to take from this one, and we’ll treat it as an opportunity to learn and grow.”

“This match featured two strong sides full of Canadian talent going hard at one another,” said Arrows head coach Chris Silverthorn, following the match. “The scoreline may look a little one-sided, especially considering we came very close to scoring on a few occasions, but the fact remains that we’ll have plenty to work on ahead of our second match with the Selects next Friday. There will be some good lessons to take from this one, and we’ll treat it as an opportunity to learn and grow.”

With four Arrows donning red and white for the match, squad spots opened up to allow for debut appearances for Hong Kong international hooker Alex Post, flanker Travis Larsen, and prop Clint Lemkus. Prop Mike Smith also earned his first start of the season.

“Having the opportunity to extend our spring campaign with a top-tier match against the Selects is one we’re grateful to have, and we’re proud of the performances of the Arrows who received their call-ups from Kingsley Jones,” added Silverthorn. “These matches are vital to the growth of our national program and the development of top Canadian talent. We’re looking forward to the second leg of our series.”

The spring series between the Canada Selects and the Arrows will serve as a key fixture to assist Canada’s national senior men’s program in their preparations for the upcoming June international window.

The return fixture will take place at Westhills Stadium in Langford, B.C. next Saturday.

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Canada Selects Score Report

Tries: P. Ciulini (27), C. Keys (40), K. Lloyd (63)
Conversions: R. Povey (28, 40)

Ontario Arrows Lineup vs. Canada Selects

1. Rob Brouwer
2. Alex Post
3. Mike Smith
4. Mike Sheppard (C)
5. Josh Van Horne
6. Marcello Wainwright
7. Peter Milazzo
8. Kolby Francis
9. Alex Gliksten
10. Will Kelly
11. Aaron McLelland
12. Jamie Leveridge
13. Jon West
14. John Sheridan
15. Shawn Windsor

16. Cam Sandison
17. Pat Lynott
18. Clint Lemkus
19. Tom Van Horne
20. Travis Larsen
21. Mario Van Der Westhuizen
22. Mitch Richardson
23. Kyle Lagasca

STAFF
Head Coach: Chris Silverthorn
Assistant Coaches: David Butcher, Aaron Carpenter, Cory Hector
General Manager: Mark Winokur
Performance Analyst: Rodin Lozada
Athletic Therapist: Chris Kelly
Team Doctor: Dr. John Gillis

Canada Selects Lineup vs. Ontario Arrows

1. Noah Barker
2. Martial Lagain*
3. Cole Keith
4. Paul Ciulini*^
5. Conor Keys
6. Dustin Dobravsky
7. Lucas Rumball^ (C)
8. Luke Campbell
9. Andrew Ferguson*^
10. Robbie Povey
11. Kainoa Lloyd*^
12. Guiseppe du Toit^
13. Doug Fraser
14. Cole Davis
15. Patrick Parfrey^

16. Steven Ng
17. Liam Murray
18. Ryan Kotlewski
19. Grant Crowell
20. Matt Heaton
21. Jorden Sandover-Best
22. Gordon McRorie
23. Josh Thiel

* denotes player who has featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2018

^ denotes player who featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2017 inaugural match in Glendale, CO (Sept. 9, 2017)

About Ontario Arrows Rugby Club:

The Ontario Arrows Rugby Club is Canada’s first privately-funded high-performance rugby team.

The team is equipped to compete against top-tier North American club teams, providing emerging Canadian talent with enhanced and more frequent opportunities to hone their skills at an elite level.

Ontario Arrows Spring 2018 Schedule

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Header Photo Credit: Colin Watson