Canada 14 Uruguay 8

Canada came away with an uninspiring win over Uruguay, 14-8, to secure second place after two rounds of the 2001 Pan American rugby championships at Hamilton, Ontario Wednesday night.

It was a game that neither team really wanted to win, rife with errors, jerky play, and poor decision making that had the 1,200 fans at the edge of their seats -- trying decide whether to head to the beer tent or not.

Canada got on the board first courtesy of a Bob Ross penalty from 24 metres, his first international points since "retiring" in 1999.

The Teros began to test Canadian fullback Scott Stewart, launching high balls that he took on the trot each time to great effect.  The crowd roared their approval when he knocked Uruguayan second row Augustin Ponce De Leon back before getting stopped by multiple opposition tackles.

Wing Fred Asselin made a break from several knock ons giving the crowd something to cheer about as he zoomed for a 40 metre break before the Teros defence shut him down.

The first half became as exciting as watching two guys play chess in a darkened room, with kicks on the full, chips knocked on, and scrums wheeling on both sides.  Ross scored a second penalty from 26 metres but that would be the only offense from either team.

Teros fullback Juan Menchaca missed two shots at goal and the chance at an even scoreboard heading into the dressing rooms.

"It was a dreadful display on many people's parts," said Canadian coach David Clark.  "We weren't allowed to get in our rhythm, there were a number of penalties which I thought were very, very severe.  Their driving maul was a problem to us, and the touch judges should do something about it.

"We didn't do it well, too many mistakes, dropped balls, turned the ball over.  We looked dangerous when we went wide and could hang onto the ball, but we didn't get enough of it."

Uruguayan coach Daniel Herrera felt that his team was beaten not by Canada, but by Argentinean referee Santiago Borsani, saying his team could have won the game had it not been for the officiating.

"I think in the second half the only team on the field was Uruguay, and unfortunately we are a little team and some persons are under pressure and only watch one side, otherwise we could have won this game," said Herrera.  "We are accustomed to this person, and these things happening-- we know him -- we were prepared for him."

Of concern to the Canadians must have been the fact the scrum was being moved by the short but stocky Uruguayans.  With that in mind Clark inserted John Tait into the engine room, giving Ed Knaggs the rest of the night off.

Jeff Williams began to explore some of his options, moving around the park from his right wing position and finding the occasional gap.  The Canadians began to stretch the Teros defense and were awarded a five metre scrum from a Uruguayan knock on.  The scrum worked hard, benefited by the fresh legs of Ryan Banks, and new cap, hooker Dale Burleigh dropped on the ball for his first international try.  Banks and a few of the Teros began to exchange opinions following the score before the veteran trotted away to the admiring whoops of the home crowd.

Canadian captain Al Charron marked his return to international duties with some big hits, and useful work cleaning up ball at the back of the lineout.

Ross added a third penalty, and it appeared Canada were in safe 14-0.  But those feelings of security were premature as the Uruguyans mounted a counter attack in the 63rd minute ending with a maul at the Canadian five metre line.  A moment later flanker Nicolas Brignoni found the space he needed scoring the crucial try.  Menchaca could not convert, and the Teros trailed 14-5 and plenty of time to work with.

Uruguay got on the scoreboard again with Menchaca penalty from 38 metres and the South Americans were within a converted try of tying the match.

Bob Ross had the chance to extend the Canadian lead, but missed from 37 metres and both teams dug in for the dash to the finish line.

With full time approaching, hostilities heightened around the Canadian ten metre line, with a number of punches thrown on both sides and the Uruguayan coaches screaming for a sinbin.  Instead Canada were awarded a penalty, kicked for touch and Santiago Borsani blew the whistle to end a dreary night of rugby.

Following the match Charron was bitingly honest about the quality of the spectacle.

"To be honest I didn't come out of that game very tired, and that's a sin really to say that, but there was so many stoppages you were getting breaks," said the flanker who made his team leading 62nd appearance for Canada.  "No matter how much running you do to get things going it was stop/start and a sorry display of rugby -- It must have been painful to watch."

Argentina now lead the round robin tournament with a 2-0 record and 10 points, with Canada second at 8 points, Uruguay in third with 2, and the USA in last with 0 pts.

On Saturday Uruguay take on the US in the first match of a rugby doubleheader, while Argentina and Canada will decide the Pan American championship starting at 4:00 p.m at Fletcher's Fields in Markham, Ontario.

The teams:

Canada:  1 Duane Major, 2 Dale Burleigh, 3 Boris Stoikos, 4 Ron Johnstone, 5 Ed Knaggs, 6 Alan Charron, 7 Jeff Tomlinson, 8 Mike Schmid, 9 Marco Di Girolomo, 10 Bobby Ross, 11 Fred Asselin, 12 Kyle Nichols, 13 Colin Robertson, 14 Jeff Williams, 15 Scott Stewart
Reserves:  Ryan Banks, John Tait, Kevin Wirachowski, Colin Yukes

Uruguay:  Juan Menchaca, Bernardo Saenz, Pedro Vecino, Hilario Canessa, Emiliano Ibarra, Bernardo Amarillo, Augustin Urrestara, Eduardo Berrutti, Diego Lamelas, Guillermo Storace, Augustin Ponce De Leon, Nicolas Brignoni, Sebastien Mosquera, Juan Carlos Bado
Replacements:  (16-22) Francisco Santos De Los (49 mins for Lameuas), Sanchez Rodrigo (Berrutti), Juan Machado, Juan Alzueta, Another, Martin Mendaro, Joaquin De Freitas

Attendance:  1200

Points Scorers:

Canada
Tries:  Burleigh D. 1
Pen K.:  Ross R.P. 3

Uruguay
Try:  Nicolas Brignoni
Penalty:  Juan Menchaca