Second Half Ups and Downs

Netherlands started the second half on the front foot. Once again the penalties started to pile up for the USA and all that did was give Netherlands chances to leverage their excellent kicking and their effective lineout. The U18 Americans did manage to defend their line for a long period, but they still had difficulty getting out of their own end. Eventually it was one penalty too much and Netherlands sent it through the backs to score near the posts. The conversion was good and the Dutch led 14-10.

It took a while for the USA to settle down. Pinned once again in their end they finally got clear, and eventually from a penalty they took the lineout and ran a play off the back of the maul. The play itself didn't come off, but scrumhalf Spencer Huntley rescued the loose ball and scampered close to the line. The forwards bashed ahead and after an initial call from the referee for held-up, a consultation with the AR reversed the call and the USA had their try.

Lee's conversion attempt hit the post, but the USA had the lead 15-14.

Here's where the USA U18s had a chance to put the game away. Out of their 22  No. 8 Papa Matelau burst through, bumping off several tacklers to get to midfield before linking with center Elijah Lolesio-Pua. Netherlands scrambled back to prevent the try, but still there were USA chances.

It was now Netherlands that struggled to clear. The USA deep three of Masi Koi, Quammie, and Putka, along with Lee, were field kicks and countering well. Putka was very solid in this job—he almost never kicked but instead identified little gaps where he could counter but also be sure he had support to win the ruck.

It helped that the USA forwards worked very hard to get back and win those rucks.

Still the tries weren't coming. They got a penalty and threw fairly quickly into the lineout. The maul looked perfect but the referee said the throw hadn't been taken correctly and it had to be re-done. Second chance and they mauled over the line for hooker Seth Smith to touch it down, only to be told he'd lost of forward. The next time they mauled it Netherlands was penaltized and yellow-carded. So that led to another maul, but the Dutch didn't engage this one and the USA was called for obstruction.

Even so, back came the USA and a nice attack wide saw Putka looking to set up Padraig Long for what seemed to be a sure try. Long couldn't get the handle, however, and once again a chance went begging.

Despite having the lead, the USA was getting more and more frustrated.

Finally, as time wound down the USA attacked again. They had a penalty advantage when the backs threw and interception, which was lucky for the USA that the runner was called back (although if they hadn't had the advantage it's unlikely they would have attempted that pass). Instead, one more chance with a penalty. Lee kicked to touch. The USA lineout didn't do the expected maul this time and popped the ball straight down to Huntley. Frozen for a split second, the Netherlands defenders were caught. Lee sold a dummy and beat another defender and was over himself. He slotted the conversion, but it didn't matter either way. Full time was called.

Overall, this Corendon Summer Tour has to be considered hugely successful for everyone. No games were blowouts, with the USA vs Belgium game the most lopsided at 43-26. Every other game was within a try: 32-32, 27-20, 19-15, and 22-17. While the USA was not happy about giving up a late try to Canada to surrender a tie, they controlled the tempo of this game at the end to close it out, even if they still made it hard on themselves. 

It was enough to win the event, and for Huntley, who was scrappy on defense, opportunistic, and passed with consistency, it was a Player of the Tournament effort.