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The Prairie Wolf Pack got the win they so badly wanted and did so in emphatic fashion, defeating the Atlantic Rock by 41-19 to claim third overall in the 2017 Canadian Rugby Championship. At the end of a long week it wasn’t quite the fierce battle that fans were hoping for, with the Rock forced to compete for nearly half the match with only 14 men after conceding four yellow cards.
A slow start to the match saw both teams making unforced errors to keep the scoreboard empty. Charles DeBove failed to connect with Cooper Coats on a two-on-one and an obstruction call prevented the Wolf Pack from capitalizing on a Carl Pocock line break. Robbie Povey missed a kickable penalty goal and Coats followed suit after 60 metre solo dash from Brett Johnson.
The frustration only grew when Mike Hamson was binned for a tip-tackle on Conor Turner. A long kick into touch put the Wolf Pack into attacking position with the lineout gathered at the back by Kyle Gilmour. A few phases later the gap opened and Jake Bentley surged through to score the first points.
One score turned into two without delay. Turner pinched a lineout throw and the Wolf Pack were back on the doorstep. Lucas Albornoz crossed from close range with Povey’s conversion making it 12-0 but the Rock fired back immediately. The ball bounced free at a lineout deep in enemy territory and Graham Barry was first to pounce, with Coats nailing the kick from the sideline.
Coats had another chance on the stroke of halftime with the Wolf Pack conceding what should have been three points to the Rock. Instead the ball sailed past the uprights to leave the five-point gap at the break.
Offsetting yellow cards to second rows Turner and Jon Phelan were brandished just after the break for what looked to be some innocuous pushing. Paddy McNicholas would join them on the sidelines soon after for a slapping down a pass that would been a certain try for the Wolf Pack. The penalty try was not awarded for reasons unknown but the Wolf Pack made good soon after anyway as Mozac Samson found himself in amongst the heavies to squeeze over in the corner.
Samson was in on the next score, palming off a defender with his left hand and offloading to Jeremy Kyne with his right to quell the Rock’s ambitions for victory. A fourth yellow card, this one to Adam Paul for a dangerous tackle, ended any room for speculation.
Exhaustion set in for both sides in the final quarter and replacements began to stream into the game. Pocock touched down in the left corner and Povey landed a penalty kick. Jack McCarthy dove in for a consolation score before Pocock made it a double, with Gradyn Bowd landing a fine conversion from the touchline. The Rock would have the last say as Liam Carter snuck through from a ruck with Coats on target this time to end the match.
The two sides will spend little time reviewing the footage with the focus now turning to next season. Exactly what format the CRC takes on next year is yet to be seen, but new faces are certain for two teams whose seasons each ended with only one win from four.
SCORING
ROCK 19
Tries – G. Barry (32’), J. McCarthy (74’), L. Carter (80’)
Cons – C. Coats 2/3 (33’, 80’)
Pens – C .Coats 0/2
Yellow cards – M. Hamson (23’), J. Phelan (43’), P. McNicholas (48’), A. Paul (61’)
WOLF PACK 41
Tries – J. Bentley (25’), L. Abnornoz (29’), M. Samson (49’), J. Kyne (59’), C. Pocock 2 (62’, 77’)
Cons – R. Povey 3/5 (30’, 50’, 60’), G. Bowd 1/1 (78’)
Pens – R. Povey 1/2 (70’)
Yellow cards – C. Turner (43’)
TEAMS
ATLANTIC ROCK
1 Alex Forrest (17 Frank Walsh 51’), 2 Martial Lagain (16 Owen Parfrey 64’), 3 Jordon Power (18 Jake Chahwan 64’), 4 Jon Phelan, 5 Brad Lester, 6 Conor Keys, 7 Moe Abdelmonem (19 Carson O’Sullivan 54’), 8 Mike Hamson (20 Liam Carter 50’), 9 Graham Barry (21 Adam Paul 53’), 10 Patrick Parfrey (capt.), 11 Cooper Coats, 12 Emil Sehic (22 Colin Alexander HT), 13 Charles DeBove, 14 Paddy McNicholas (23 Jack McCarthy 60’), 15 Brett Johnson
PRAIRIE WOLF PACK
1 Hubert Buydens (17 Peter Houlihan 67’), 2 Casey Reed (16 Robert Blunden 75’), 3 Ryan Kotlewski (18 Nick McAuley 61’), 4 Conor Turner, 5 Riley Fahlman (20 Wayde Hodgen 71’), 6 Lucas Albornoz, 7 Kyle Gilmour (capt.), 8 Jeremy Kyne (19 Kyle Morrison 67’), 9 Jake Robinson, 10 Robbie Povey (20 Gradyn Bowd 71’), 11 Evan Thomas, 12 Adam Bontus, 13 Mozac Samson (23 Brandon Baker 67’), 14 Jake Bentley (22 Cam Hall 75’), 15 Carl Pocock
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak
Assistants: Doug Hamre & Ryan Alguire
