Canada win in Lisbon

Canada beat Portugal 21-13 at Estadio Universitário in Lisbon on Saturday afternoon, the first match of Canada’s tour to Europe. Canada scored two tries to one.

Canada led 11-7 at half-time.

Canada kicked off and stayed camped in Portuguese territory for a long time. James Pritchard goaled two penalty goals to give the visitors a 6-0 lead, the second after lock Juan Severino had been sent to the sin bin. They went further ahead when they kicked a penalty out for an attacking line-out. Jebb Sinclair charged to close to the Lobos’ line and then put Adam Kleeberger over for a try just before half-time.

There was still time for the kick off. Pedro Silva kicked off high and Morgan Williams let the ball bounce. Chasing after it Silva grabbed the ball and raced some 40 metres to score a try which Pedro Leal converted. 12 points had been scored in the last minute or so of the half.

Canada had had vast superiority in possession and territory but found the aggressive defence of the home side difficult.

Just after the start of the second half Leal goaled a penalty and Canada led a slender 11-10. But then Canada got back on top and Pritchard enjoyed a five-minute burst of scoring with a penalty, a try and a conversion. Portugal were actually well on the attack when Pritchard intercepted and ran through many empty acres to score his try.

Portugal’s only other replay was a penalty. There was no scoring in the last quarter of an hour, though it was a period of Portuguese dominance.

The big change in the second half came about in the scrums. Canada had done what they liked in the first half but then Portugal’s coach Tomaz Morais  made changes and this made a vast difference. On came Juan Murre and Duarte Figueiredo, both World Cup veterans.

Scorers:

For Canada:
Tries: Kleeberger, Pritchard
Con: Pritchard
Pens: Pritchard 3

For Portugal:
Try: Silva
Con: Leal
Pens: Leal 2
       
Teams:

Canada: 15 James Pritchard,  14 Phil Mackenzie ),  13 Bryn Keys,  12 Ryan Smith,  11 Dean Van Camp,  10 Ander Monro,  9 Morgan Williams,  8 Aaron Carpenter ,  7 Adam Kleeberger,  6 Andrew Fagan,  5 Stu Ault,  4 Tyler Hotson,  3 Mike Pletch,  2 Pat Riordan,  1 Kevin Tkachuk,
Replacements: 16 Frank Walsh,  17 Travis Robertson,  18 Luke Cudmore,  19 Jebb Sinclair,  20 Sean Duke,  21 Sean White,  22 Nathan Hirayama

Portugal: 15 Pedro Silva, 14 Adérito Esteves, 13 David Mateus, 12 Diogo Mateus, 11 Gonçalo Foro, 10 Pedro Cabral, 9 Pedro Leal, 8 Tiago Girão, 7 Salvador Palha, 6 Vasco Uva, 5 Juan Severino, 4 David dos Reis, 3 Diogo Fialho, 2 João Correia (captain), 1 João Júnior 
Replacements: 16 Juan Murre, 17 Duarte Figueiredo, 18 Valter Jorge, 19 Julien Bardy, 20 Lourenço Kadosh, 21 Duarte C. Pinto, 22 Diogo Gama 

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland)
Touch judges: Rob Dickson (Scotland),  Ronnie Dumma (Scotland)