Canada

Canada A has beaten USA A 10-7 on a rain soaked Infinity Park pitch in Glendale, Colorado Tuesday night.

A second half penalty kick from wing Andrea Burke proved to be the difference after Canada led the match 7-0 at half time.

Canada’s try came just seconds after prop Tabatha Stavro was sinbinned for repeated offences at the break down.

A spilled US ball got into the hands of Canadian No. 8 Kelly Russell, who then found a seam and ran some thirty metres into US territory before off-loading to a supporting Brooke Hilditch who took it the rest of the way on clean heels.

In the dying moments of the match, Canada gave away a crucial penalty – with the Women’s Eagles opting for a potential tying kick from forty metres. The attempt by Desiree Markovich fell short and Canada kicked the ball into touch for the win.

The US got a try from fly-half Hannah Stolba to knot the game at 7-7 with thirty minutes to play.

Burke teed up an attempt from forty-five metres that was on targeth but fell short, hitting the left post pad. Then in the 62nd minute Burke made no mistake from thirty metres to put her team in the lead for good.

The US appeared to score a try from a chip and chase ball that went into the Canadian in-goal but referee Andrea Amor said there was a knock-on to keep the score at 10 – 7 for Canada.

Hilditch, who was the Canadian skipper on the night, praised her teammates efforts, especially those of Burke.

 “She is such a great kicker – she did such a great job,” said Hilditch.

Coach John Long – at the helm for his first game since taking over the post three months ago admitted it was nail-biting time near the end.

“I was worried late in the game – but it all worked out in the end,” said Long with a laugh.

“What a great try by Hilditch and the run by Russell to set it up was tremendous.”

Now Long must make some tough selections before facing the USA in a full test at Infinity Park this coming Saturday.

Scoring:

Canada
Try: Brooke Hilditch
Conversion: Andrea Burke
Penalty: Andrea Burke

USA
Try: Hannah Stolba
Conversion: Desiree Markovich

Name (Club/Hometown)
1.    Tabatha Stavro Toronto Irish/Niagara
2.    Ashley McDonald Lethbridge/Corn-ban PEI
3.    Corrine Jacobsen Burnaby Lake/Maple Ridge
4.    Danielle Rowlands Calgary Irish/Colonsay
5.    Marie Eve Brindamour-Carrigan Town of Mount Royal/St Ferreol-les-Neiges
6.    Jen Kish Leprechaun Tigers/Edmonton (SIN BIN- OFF FOR FRONT ROW SUB 20 MINS)
7.    Shannon Kane Velox Valkeries/Ottawa
8.    Kelly Russell Nomads/Bolton ONT
9.    Julia Sugarwara Burnaby Lake/Surrey
10.    Brooke Hilditch Yeomen/Mississauga
11.    Andrea Burk Capilano/N Vancouver
12.    Stevie Schnoor United/Coquitlam
13.    MJ Blais Town of Mount Royal/Montreal
14.    Tara Eckert Calgary Irish/Saskatoon
15.    D'arcy Paterson Capilano/N Vancouver

Replacements
16.    Kim Donaldson Burnaby Lake/Vancouver for 2 Donaldson @61 mins
17.    Nicole Tyminski Edmonton Druids/Regina (SIN BIN SUB - 20 MINS - then for 3 Jacobsen @ 40 mins)
18.    Paige Burdette Calgary Irish/Fort McCloud
19.    Barbara MervinVelox Valkeries/Peterborough for 7 Kane @ 58 mins
20.    Laura Stoughton Calgary Irish/Saskatoon for 9 Suguwara @ 62 mins
21.    Cheryl Phillips Toronto Scottish/Toronto for Blais @ 49 mins
22.    Sarah Ulmer Saracens ENG/Regina for 15 Paterson @ 72 mins

Coach: John Long
Asst: Kris de Scossa
Strength: Paul Balsom
Manager Cheryl Foreman
Doctor Rosalind Mullin
Therapist Jean Shaw
Massage therapist Melody Lee