The Eagle Impact Rugby Academy tour of British Columbia continues with more wins for the tourists.

The U17s defeated BC U17s 25-23 on a penalty kick at the death, following up on a 39-5 victory earlier in the week. The U16s, who had won 23-19 in their opener, beat the BC U16s 39-14, running the tour to 4-0 for the two teams.

U18s Sweep

The EIRA U18s opened up their trip with a 30-10 victory over touring MacLeans College out of New Zealand. And then, on Friday, produced a 53-26 defeat of BC U18s. After giving up a try in the first 25 seconds, the EIRA team started to put on the pressure and got tries from wing Trevor Pacheco, prop Moses Saole, and scrumhalf Ethan McVeigh which, with a McVeigh penalty and a conversion, made for a 22-19 lead at the break.

Prop Michael Kersee's try extended that lead, but BC scored again to make it 29-26 with about 30 minutes to go. That's when EIRA took control. Wing Cyprian Miller, McVeigh, center Clint Hersey, and center Daneal Collins all scored to help EIRA pull away 53-26.

EIRA U17s 2-0

For the U17s, some excellent finishing from wings Payton Millet and Tom Dreyer helped secure the win. With EIRA down 17-0 in the first half, Millet beat several defenders to score a brilliant try and get the team on the board. Then, just as halftime loomed, flyhalf Sam Masterson read the defense beautifully and sent a sublime grubber kick behind the defense where Dreyer raced in to gather and score.

Both tries relied on good teamwork, but were helped by the finishing touch of Millet and Dreyer, and EIRA was in with a chance at 17-12.

Led by captain George Henry Miller, the pack started to outwork a bigger BC forward unit, and some key adjustments in the lineout by coaches Tim Kluempers and Liam Harnett were put to good use.

Early on in the second half, the pack chose to back themselves with a maul off a lineout just inside the BC 22. It worked perfectly and Miller scored to tie the game. Max Schumacher hit the touchline conversion and EIRA led 19-17. the tourists benefited greatly from some quality tactical kicking from Schumacher to drive the play deep into BC territory. An indiscretion at the breakdown from BC allowed Schumacher to convert the penalty and make it a 22-17 game with 15 minutes left.

BC ran in some subs and turned on the pressure, forcing two penalties, which they converted to take the lead 23-22.

With EIRA still down with less than a minute to play, the forwards again showed poise and patience in controlling the ball and centering the attack. The forwards were threatening to seal the deal when a BC player went off his feet in the breakdown. The penalty was right in front of the posts, and Schumacher put the kick over for the win 25-23.

EIRA U16s 2-0

As in the earlier touring game, the U16s game featured two separate squads of BC players. This time, it was the British Columbia Mainland U16s and the Vancouver Island U16s. This game was a selection vehicle for the full BC team to play in the provincial championship. 

The format was tough for the EIRA squad as the second half team was completely rested. As a result, the EIRA coaches requested basically a hockey substitution plan, allowing for more players to take the field.

EIRA coaches moved big No. 8 Alani Mafu to center to pair with Mason Taliulu, producing a punishing midfield of two players over 200 pounds. They were a punishing combo, while the smaller speedsters torched BC on the outside.

Christoper Devault stepped in ably at No. 8 and Samuel Harris came in at lock.

The game started slowly for EIRA and BC led 7-0 (the third of these games where EIRA fell behind early). That soon became 14-0 after five minutes. But Eagle Impact would not allow another point.

Pressure off the restart led to a penalty kick for flyhalf Lachland Rubens, and after that, EIRA started to run with it. Taliulu scored two tries and Mafu added another as the bruising center pairing started to make its presence felt. Vai Kruse also scored, while Rubens kicked four conversions and two penalties.