O'Toole lays foundation for Canada win
Chauncey O’Toole inspired Canada to a comfortable 26-12 win over Italy A in the opening game of the Churchill Cup at Franklin’s Gardens.
The all-action flank from New Brunswick was deservedly named man-of-the-match as he inspired the Canucks to a three-try win over the Azzurri’s second string.
O’Toole, who set up a superb try for James Pritchard, said: “That was great win for us – we are really pleased with that. It was a great effort at the end to keep them out.”
It was Pritchard who opened the scoring when, after a series of early exchanges between the two sides, the Italians failed to move away from the tackle and afforded the Bedford Blues fullback the opportunity to take his side ahead.
The Italians were quick on Canadian toes, bringing the scores level after 18 minutes thanks to the boot of scrumhalf Tito Tebaldi.
With the opening try yet to be seen, Pritchard missed the third penalty of the game a minute later, sending the ball wide of the sticks to leave the score at 3-3.
After a succession of slick passing between the Italians, led by Ruggero Trevisan, they missed the chance to get ahead for first time when Tebaldi’s penalty kick fell short of the sticks.
It was instead the Canadians who went ahead with over half-an-hour gone, flyhalf Ander Monro opting for a drop-goal on the edge of the 22.
The North Americans’ lead was short lived however when, down the other end of the pitch, Tebaldi again tied the scores after Canada dropped their bind at the scrum.
The Azzuri finally found themselves going in 9-6 up at the break, slotting a clean kick in between the uprights from inside the 22 when Canada’s ill discipline cost them at the breakdown.
Canada opened the second half with the first try of the game, after a run from prop Jason Marshall took his side to within inches of the line before back-row Aaron Carpenter collected the ball off the back of the breakdown to step over the line. Pritchard sliced the conversion wide.
To add to Italy’s woes in front of watching national coach Nick Mallett, captain Valerio Bernabo was shown a yellow card for an offside offence to leave the men in blue one down and chasing a two-point deficit.
Italy’s defence was stretched to its limits when only minutes later, Canada pushed for the line with building momentum to put Jason Marshall over. After another television referee decision, Dave Pearson signaled the Canadian’s second try in as many minutes. Pritchard struggled to find his angle, sending the conversion wide.
Now on full gas, the North Americans caused no end of problems for this Italy A side who failed to get their hands on the ball for long enough to make any impact.
Instead, it was again the Canadians who added further points to the board as O’Toole and Pritchard paired up to put the latter under the crossbar for a try and simple conversion.
Italy did manage to narrow the deficit with their fourth successful penalty of the game, scrum-half Tebaldi again find his way between the uprights.
As soon as Italy had added three points, the Canadians cancelled them out when Pritchard added three points to take the final score to 26-12.
Scorers:
For Italy A:
Pens: Tebaldi 4
For Canada:
Tries: Carpenter, Marshall, Pritchard
Con: Pritchard
Pens: Pritchard 2
DG: Munro
Yellow card: Valerio Bernabo (Italy A, 42)
Teams:
Italy A: 15 Ruggero Trevisan, 14 Andrea Bacchetti, 13 Denis Majstorovic, 12 Matteo Pratichetti, 11 Michele Sepe, 10 Riccardo Bocchino, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Manoa Vosawai, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Valerio Bernabo’ (captain), 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Corniel Van Zyl, 3 Fabio Staibano, 2 Tommaso D’Apice, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Giulio Toniolatti, 25 Durandt Gerber.
Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Conor Trainor, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O’Toole, 6 Jebb Sinclair, 5 Brian Erichsen, 4 Tyler Hotson, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (captain), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Andrew Tiedemann, 18 Mitch Gudgeon, 19 Nanyak Dala, 20 Sean White, 21 Mike Scholz, 22 Matt Evans.
Referee: Dave Pearson
