The Ontario Blues scored two late tries to pull away from the Collegiate All Americans and win the final game of the All American assembly 31-16 Saturday in Canton, Mass.

The two teams played a tight, physical game all afternoon and the result was in doubt until the final few minutes. But a late red card on All American scrumhalf Niku Kruger of Kutztown made things very difficult for the college players. Kruger was trying to get the ball loose from a ruck, and used his boot. He ended up stomping in an Ontario player, and was shown the door as a result.

Solid possession by the All Americans got them on the board first, as flyhalf Kalei Konrad slotted a drop goal to move his side up 3-0.

Konrad started all three All American games at flyhalf, beating out some stiff opposition for the honor. Head Coach Matt Sherman, himself a former USA #10, was very pleased with the San Diego State product’s play.

“Kalei had a really good tour,” said Sherman. “He has good composure and his kicking game was good. He was getting hit late and he handled it, and I think he is a good game manager and is physical in the 10 channel. He ticks a lot of the boxes.”

Ontario didn’t back down, of course, and scored a try after an All American penalty, which they quick-tapped. The Blues got their tails up and moved the ball well to score a second try to make it 12-3.

More All American pressure produced a penalty from Madison Hughes to make it 12-6, and Hughes then contributed on the defensive end, hauling in a Blues runner who had intercepted a pass and looked to go all the way.

Eventually the All Americans took the lead, as the ball was spun to Kingsley McGowan, who weaved his way toward the tryline before offloading to lock Mike Lawrenson for an excellent try. Hughes hit the conversion to make it 13-12.

But Ontario struck back to lead 19-13, and after Kruger’s red card, that seemed to be it. However, the All Americans inched closer with a Hughes penalty, and almost scored on a lineout-and-maul.

Instead, in the final minutes, Ontario scored twice to put the game away 32-16.

“The guys handled getting cards well,” said Sherman. “In the previous games and in this one they didn’t implode, and almost took the lead. We’re competitors and we want to win, but overall I think this was our best performance. The Blues are a very tough team and I thought we did a lot of things really well.”