U19 Blues finish off strong against EIRA, split two-game series

July 01, 2018

U19 Blues finish off strong against EIRA, split two-game series

(GUELPH, ON) – After a thrilling two-game series between the Ontario Blues U19 Men’s team and Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA), both teams walked away with incredible development experience. The series was split with EIRA taking the first match by a score of 36-22 and the Blues winning the second meeting by a score of 14-9.

In the first match, it was a tale of two halves. EIRA dominated most of the first half with Josh Ho scoring the Blues’ only try in the first half. EIRA led 19-7 at the break. The Blues started to find their groove in the second half after battling adversity. They scored multiple tries in quick succession from Braden Bruce, Timico Smith and Quenton Mclean Lavado. A late try from EIRA put the game out of reach and the first match of the series ended in a 36-22 final.

In the second match, the Blues held the Americans to only nine points – all coming from penalties. At the half, the Blues were down 9-0, but they were able to add two converted tries in the second half to pull ahead. With scoring coming from Devan Hunter and Toff Patel, the Blues ultimately defeated EIRA 14-9. The two teams split the series with the Eagle Impact outscoring Ontario 45-36 over the two games.

The series was a way of giving the Under-19 Ontario side some preparatory competition before they head off to Saskatoon for the Canadian Rugby Championship on July 16-22, 2018. Their game schedule can be seen below and more details on a stream for the tournament will come shortly.

U-19 BLUES ROSTER - GAME 2 VS. EAGLE IMPACT RUGBY ACADEMY

1. Guerschom Mukendi, Stoney Creek Camels

2. Owen McLean Lavado (Captain), Toronto Scottish

3. Aaron Pacha, Guelph Redcoats

4. Cameron Hurst, Mississauga Blues

5. Tyler Webb, Barrie

6. Mason Flesch, Cobourg Saxons

7. Max Goodwin, Aurora Barbarians

8. Braden Bruce, Peterborough Pagans

9. Kevin Oh, Waterloo County

10. Quenton McLean-Lavado, Toronto Scottish

11. Jack Shaw, Crusaders

12. Danny Vasica, Crusaders

13. Gabe Casey, Bytown Blues

14. Isaac Brown, Aurora Barbarians

15. Joshua Ho, Aurora Barbarians

16. Levi Konecny, Ajax Wanderers

17. Alex Circelli, Aurora Barbarians

18. Owen Stirling, Guelph Redcoats

19. Caleb English, Aurora Barbarians

20. Erik Keppen, Ajax Wanderers

21. Toff Patel, Barrhaven Scottish

22. Timco Smith, Mississauga Blues

23. Devan Hunter, Toronto Scottish

24. Ryan Connelly, Barrie

25. Will Cheesewright, Crusaders

26. Carter Smith, Brampton Beavers

27. Malik James, Balmy Beach

2018 CANADIAN RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Game 1 - Blues vs. Atlantic Rock - July 16 at 6:00pm ET

Game 2 - Blues vs. Prairie Blizzard - July 17 at 6:00pm ET

Semi-Finals - July 20 at 4:00pm ET

Finals - July 22 at 2:00pm ET

ABOUT THE ONTARIO BLUES

The Ontario Blues program is the high performance representative program for male and female rugby players in Ontario. Rugby Ontario is represented at the provincial level by the Ontario Blues. The program includes representative teams from Under-15 to Senior in both Women’s and Men’s Fifteens and Under-18 Men's and Women's Sevens. Specifically, the program is designed to develop and showcase rugby players for Canadian representative national teams.

ABOUT RUGBY ONTARIO

Rugby Ontario is the provincial sports governing body responsible for the organization of rugby in Ontario. Our mission is to establish a stronger identity for rugby in Ontario by promoting the sport’s core values and by fostering a culture of inclusiveness and excellence on and off the field of play.

To learn more, visit https://www.rugbyontario.com/