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Robbie Povey’s penalty kick in stoppage time gave the Wolf Pack an improbable win over the Atlantic Rock in St. John’s on Sunday afternoon. The result gives the visitors a temporary lead in the hunt for the MacTier Cup but leaves its fate entirely in the hands of the Ontario Blues, who can claim the title simply by defeating the BC Bears at Fletcher’s Fields.
A vigorous opening eventually gave Aidan McMullan a shot at the posts with 11 minutes played, which he duly sent through for the early lead. Povey replied soon after for the Wolf Pack, and then some quick thinking from Jake Robinson at a penalty near the line gave the scrumhalf a free crack at the line. He needed no second invitation and dove in for the score.
Amidst the ferocity of the collisions a moment of brilliance came from the Rock. Zac Coughlan offloaded to Jamie Mackenzie, who freed Jack Fitzpatrick with another out of the tackle. The fullback chipped the last line of defense and Conor Desmond couldn’t control the ball, leaving it for a flying Bryce Thomassin to dive on for the try.
Povey came back with a penalty to steal the lead back for the Pack, but it wouldn’t last to the half. McMullan showed good footwork to make inroads with a counter, and then took a return pass from Matt Heaton to dart into the corner and snatch the lead for the Rock.
The second half was every bit as rambunctious as the first. Fresh legs entered the game and the Wolf Pack forwards found a spark, working their way to the Rock line. After a number of phases John Braddock slipped over on the post and Povey’s extras made it a three-point game.
No score would come until the 71st minute, when a picture-perfect driving maul ended with Martial Lagain over the line. McMullan couldn’t stick the conversion, but the momentum was with the Rock. The bonus point was still needed for a shot at Cup glory.
After some chaotic play near the Pack’s line it was a scrum on the 5m line to the Rock. A try seemed inevitable. The drive came and the Wolf Pack wilted, but only a penalty was awarded. Another scrum and this time the ball came out but a knock-on turned over possession.
The clearance kick was good to half-way but it was the Wolf Pack who came away from the lineout with the ball, and eventually a penalty was won in kicking position. Amazingly they opted for the lineout and were stopped short of the line. The drama wasn’t over as they came back for another penalty. This time Clay Panga pointed at the sticks and Povey did the rest.
It was a wild finish to an exciting and turbulent match that could have gone either way. As it stands the Canadian Rugby Championship is over for both sides, one that will almost certainly leave mixed emotions with the Blues now favorites to lift the Cup.
ROCK 20
Tries – B. Thomassin (28), A. McMullan (40), M. Lagain (71)
Cons – A. McMullan (29)
Pens – A. McMullan (11)
Yellow cards – P. Parfrey (19)
WOLF PACK 21
Tries – J. Robinson (22), J. Braddock (48)
Cons – R. Povey (49)
Pens – R. Povey 3 (15, 33, 80)
ATLANTIC ROCK
1 Frank Walsh 2 Owen Parfrey (capt.) 3 Jordon Power 4 Jon Phelan 5 Brad Lester 6 Zac Coughlan 7 Matt Heaton 8 Mike Hamson 9 Jamie Mackenzie 10 Patrick Parfrey 11 Aidan McMullan 12 Emil Sehic 13 Alex Rogers 14 Bryce Thomassin 15 Jack Fitzpatrick
16 Martial Lagain 17 Alex Forrest 18 Keelan Chapman 19 Chris Browne 20 Conor Keys 21 Matt Murphy 22 Tony Pomroy 23 Dan Lantos
PRAIRIE WOLF PACK
1 John Braddock 2 Matt Harrison 3 Nick McAuley 4 Eric Lopatinsky 5 Connor Sorensen 6 Lucas Albornoz 7 Grant Crowell 8 Clay Panga (capt.) 9 Jake Robinson 10 Robbie Povey 11 Adam Bontus 12 James Buchanan 13 Mozac Samson 14 Conor Desmond 15 Graham Turner
16 Casey Reed 17 Peter Houlihan 18 Ryan Kotlewski 19 Conor Turner 20 Nanyak Dala 21 Jake Bentley 22 Cam Hall 23 Ian Shoults
Referee: David Smortchevsky
Assistants: Chris Assmus & Mike Doyle
