Much-Improved EIRA Pushes Spain U18 Team
Much-Improved EIRA Pushes Spain U18 Team
The Spain U18s defeated Eagle Impact Rugby Academy in the second game of EIRA's two-game tour, but this game was much closer than the previous game, and certainly more competitive than the two games played in 2021.
The EIRA players put in a massive effort on a very hot day—temperatures were around 95-degrees Fahrenheit. Spain scored early to lead 5-0, but EIRA replied by getting deep into Spain territory and exerting a long period of pressure from the forwards. Eventually Cormac Saint crashed over and the try was converted by Tommy Hannon for a 7-5 lead.
EIRA scored again after Tommy Hannon found a gap and raced through to score. Conversion good and it was 14-5 after 20 minutes. But in the final 15 minutes of the half, Spain punished an EIRA mistake and caught another break to score twice and take a 19-15 lead at the break.
In the second half the Eagle Impact defense ramped up. A penalty goal from Bobby Voth inched EIRA closer 19-17. But later in the half once again little errors led to Spanish tries and a lead expanded to 31-17. A well-taken try from Dylan Peters brought it closer at 31-24 before Spain scored twice late to win it 43-24.
So, yes, an imperfect showing from Eagle Impact but three tries and the closest game yet against a Spain team that has been working together for a long period. In 2021 EIRA lost 55-15 and 61-15, and the first game of this 2022 tour was 36-3. So a 43-24 scoreline was easily the closest.
A massive shift from the forwards, led by Brock Kluempers, Sammy McMillan, and Asbjorn Ross, kept EIRA close. Aki Pulu unleashed some big runs that caused Spain difficulty all day, and his fellow center Asher Hannon was also a handful.
The 9-10 combo of Cormac Saint and Tommy Hannon worked together nicely, but everyone learned that mistakes are costly at this level. Four errors led to four tries and that was essentially the difference.
"Last year we came out here and got run right off the park," said EIRA hooker McMillan (SOC Raptors). "I'm so proud of today, like, we came out here, we fought to the end, we put points on the board. It was a competitive game; really excited to see where this goes for the future."
"The development you get and the experience that you get, overseas especially, it's unforgettable," added flanker Brock Kluempers (St. Thomas Aquinas). "And you'll never lose the experience that you gained. The brotherhood, and the skills, just the passion that you gain for the game is unbelievable."
