With files from Brock Smith, Ontario Arrows Communications
(LANGFORD, BC) – The Ontario Arrows wrapped up their two-match spring series against the Canada Selects on Saturday evening, falling 58-28 to the national program side in an entertaining 12-try affair.
In a match that hardly resembled the defence-first mentality of the series’ opening leg at Toronto’s York Lions Stadium, the return fixture at Westhills Stadium featured expansive play, exciting runs, and a strong emphasis on creativity.
The seven-try first half saw the Selects race out to a 27-7 lead through 30 minutes, with Gordon McRorie, (current Arrow) Andrew Ferguson, Ben LeSage, and Matt Heaton all crossing over for the national program, while No. 8 Kolby Francis countered for the Arrows.
The final 10 minutes of the opening frame proved to be the strongest spell of play for the travelling Arrows, with Ontario’s forwards putting in inspired grunt work to beckon a comeback attempt; late converted tries from flanker Marcello Wainwright and full-back Aaron McLelland reduced the Selects’ lead to only six points at half-time.
Motivated to quell the Arrows’ late-half momentum, the Selects asserted authority to dictate the pace of the second frame. The home side added four additional tries in the second half, capped off with an impressive try from (current Arrow) Kainoa Lloyd in the final play of the match. The Arrows’ lone second-half try came through McLelland, who earned his double through a slicing run through the Selects’ back line.
“Our players never gave up, we kept fighting right to the end,” said Arrows head coach Chris Silverthorn, following the match. “We played some positive rugby, and we were physically dominant in certain phases of the game. There is so much upside to this young side, and they’ll take plenty of positives along with the hard lessons from this match.”
With three current Arrows drafted into the Selects’ lineup for the match, squad spots opened up to allow for debut appearances from lock Dillon Goos and versatile back Josh Thiel. Prop Clint Lemkus and lock Tom Van Horne also earned their first starts of the season.
“This series was all about the growth and development of Canadian talent, and the fact that we were able to push the national program as hard as we did is a testament to the work rate and professionalism of our guys, who have been tireless these past few months,” added Silverthorn. “We’re grateful to have had this valuable opportunity, and we wish Kingsley Jones and his charges all the best throughout the June internationals.”
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Ontario Arrows Score Report
Tries: K. Francis (19), M. Wainwright (34), A. McLelland 2 (40, 51)
Conversions: S. Windsor 4 (20, 35, 40, 52)
Canada Selects Score Report
Tries: G. McRorie (4), A. Ferguson (8), B. LeSage (23), M. Heaton (27), L. Campbell (45), D. Dobravsky (47), T. Sauder (58), K. Lloyd (80)
Conversions: G. McRorie 6 (9, 28, 46, 48, 59, 80)
Penalty Goals: G. McRorie 2 (15, 71)
Ontario Arrows Lineup vs. Canada Selects
1. Rob Brouwer
2. Alex Post
3. Clint Lemkus
4. Mike Sheppard (C)
5. Tom Van Horne
6. Marcello Wainwright
7. Peter Milazzo
8. Kolby Francis
9. Alex Gliksten
10. Shawn Windsor
11. Kyle Lagasca
12. Jamie Leveridge
13. Mitch Richardson
14. John Sheridan
15. Aaron McLelland
16. Cam Sandison
17. Pat Lynott
18. Alex Forrest
19. Dillon Goos
20. Travis Larsen
21. Mario Van Der Westhuizen
22. Cooper Coats
23. Josh Campbell
24. Josh Thiel
STAFF
Head Coach: Chris Silverthorn
Assistant Coaches: David Butcher, Aaron Carpenter, Cory Hector
General Manager: Mark Winokur
Performance Analyst: Rodin Lozada
Athletic Therapist: Chris Kelly
Team Doctor: Dr. John Gillis
Canada Selects Lineup vs. Ontario Arrows
1. Noah Barker
2. Steven Ng
3. Ryan Kotlewski
4. Paul Ciulini*^
5. Conor Keys
6. Matt Heaton
7. Lucas Rumball^ (C)
8. Luke Campbell
9. Andrew Ferguson*^
10. Gordon McRorie
11. Kainoa Lloyd*^
12. Nick Blevins
13. Ben LeSage
14. Cole Davis
15. Patrick Parfrey^
Substitutes
Liam Chisholm
Grant Crowell
Dustin Dobravsky
Guiseppe du Toit^
Doug Fraser
Karsten Leitner
Liam Murray
Cole Keith
Robbie Povey
Theo Sauder
* denotes player who has featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2018
^ denotes player who featured for the Ontario Arrows in 2017 inaugural match in Glendale, CO (Sept. 9, 2017)
