'Attention and a wider talent pool': USA down Ukraine, Scotland beat Serbia

A hat trick try from USA centre Siaosi Koloamatangi two minutes from fulltime ensured a 26-22 win over determined Ukraine, while a 12-man Scotland team proved too strong for Serbia in their rankings games to conclude the the European U19s Championship in Belgrade.

The matches were played with unlimited substitutions to ensure that all squad members were given a run and to help counter the week’s considerable heat.

“We came here not knowing what to expect or how our boys would go but to win two of our three games is very pleasing,” said USA Young Hawks head coach, George Tupou. “This was a tough game but we managed to win it and this brings us a lot of attention and a hopefully a wider pool of talent, it’s getting our name out there.”

Ukraine lost influential Ryan Jurkans, who was injured in a tackle after the game’s opening break away in the first minute but they opened the scoring when Ryslan Lipisii created the space for Arsen Havdo to burrow his way over. 

Drayson Moliga returned a penalty kick that failed to find touch half-way to spectacularly dive between the posts, giving Lidarius Moananu an easy shot on goal to nose USA in front. Koloamatangi latched onto a sublime offload to move USA further ahead and added his second three minutes later, Michael Fonua converting the first.

Ihor Yefanov stepped and dummied his way into the corner for Ukraine to keep them in touch, adding a superb conversion from the touchline to make it 16-10 at the interval.

In the 45^th minute, Popeliuk Valerii angled his run to the posts, Yefanov levelling, and Andrii Mordovanets capitalised on a USA mix up at the back from a kick for Vitaliy Bycharskyi to add an easy conversion. 

Isaac Fonua hit back for USA on the hour mark, diving into the corner from brother Michael’s pass, but Moananu was unable to convert. Koloamatangi had the final word, just latching onto a kick into the in goal to settle the outcome, giving Chris Malo an easy shot on goal.

Yefanov was sent off for disputing the decision, leaving Ukraine shorthanded for the final two sets of a superb game.

Ukraine U19s coach, Ihor Yurkin, commented: “It was a great game, we tried our best throughout and even though we lost this – and the whole tournament – has been a great experience for our boys.”

After the tournament formalities, the Ukraniain squad left on a two day bus journey back home.

UKRAINE 22
Ryan Jurkans, Vadym Dotsiak, Klim Malyshev, Andrii Mordovanets, Konstiantyn Prydatko, Ihor Yefanov, Aziz Stepanenko, Maksym Harmash, Arsen Havdo, Bohdan Mazur, Ivan Mazur, Popeliuk Valerii, Phoenix Death. Interchange: Andriy Mladki, Konstiantyn Tiurin, Vitaliy Bycharskyi, Mykhaulo Novosad, Nazar Shmalko, Ryaslan Lipisii, Maksym Reshetukha, Kyrylo Volkov

Tries: Havdo (6), Yefanov (37), Valerii (45), Mordovanets (52); Goals: Yefanov 2/3, Bycharskyi 1/1

Sent off – Ihor Yefanov (79 – dissent)

USA 26
Sulusi Satele, Tumua Moors, Isaac Fonua, Siaosi Koloamatangi, Drayson Moliga, Chris Malo, Michael Fonua, Cadin Iaone, Logan Myers, Jayden Hansen, Simote Manatau, Lidarius Moananu, Kenyon Paea Interchange: Shawlee Ama, Ammon Haley, Beckham McGill, Ethan Ivy, Esiloni Malafau, Travis Ha

Tries: Moliga (11), Koloamatangi (29, 32, 78), Fonua (60); Goals: Moananu 1/2, M. Fonua 1/2, Malo 1/1

Sin bin: Koloamatangi (3 - lifting over horizontal)

Referee: Nenad Zuijc (Serbia)

Half Time: 16-10

Scotland proved to be too strong in their final match, defeating hosts Serbia 56-0 in a contest not without controversy.

Jacob Grierson crossed for Scotland’s second try in the 12^th minute but was then sent off for punching - Serbia’s Sasa O’Flynn dispatched to the sin bin for his part in the incident which was also placed on report - but the Scots took the setback in their stride.

“It was an impressive win for the boys,” said Scotland U19 coach Mark Milnes. ‘It was a really gritty victory and great to see a lot of young lads make their debuts. We have a development programme in place and hopefully this is the start of something.”

Frazer Murray opened the scoring before Grierson dropped the ball over line prior to his try and red card and, with both sides a man down, Tom Gray and Harry Roper went over, Michael Myles perfect with the boot. 

With Serbia restored to 13 men they showed more promise and pressure, camping out on Scotland’s line for several sets but couldn’t make it pay, Bailey Schneider extending Scotland’s lead.

Centre Murray posted his brace a minute into the second half and Jack Suddick found his way to the line ten minutes later, Oli Brady on successful kicking duties. A powerful run from 40m out by prop Isaac Reid added further points just after the hour mark, Isaac Jepson crossing on the next set.

Scotland’s tenth try came from a long Hayden Cumming break, Maxwell Shelton backing up for the touchdown.

Serbia coaching consultant, Darren Fisher, said: “It’s been a great competition overall and for our boys it’s been a great learning curve. It’s been good to see us put some structure in our game as the competition went on. We’re pretty pleased despite the results.”

SERBIA 0
Sasa O’Flynn, Jovan Loncar, Mihajlo Markovic, Filip Nesic, Strahinja Milankovic, Danilo Gavrilovic, Silver Zenuni, Luka Bojcic, Stefan Andric, Edin Mehmedi, Nikola Mitrovic, Luke Trifunovic, Aleksandar Stojanovic. Interchange: Mateja Stojkovic, Jakov Dojcinovic, Luka Miricic.

Sin bin – Sasa O’Flynn (12 – retaliation)

SCOTLAND 56

Hayden Cumming, Jai Connelly, Frazer Murray, Fraser Macaulay, Cam Cullen, Myles Michael, Isaac Jepson, Maxwell Shelton, Reece Smethurst, Gabe Lewis, Joey Clarkson, Jacob Grierson, Tom Gray. Interchange: Alfie Maclean, Bailey Schneider, Harry Roper, Kier Fyfe, Oli Brady, Jack Suddick

Tries: Murray (9, 41), Grierson (12), Gray (15), Roper (21), Schneider (25), Suddick (52), Reid (61), Jepson (63), Shelton (76); Goals: Michael 4/5, Brady 3/3, Schneider 1/1

Sent off – Grierson (12 – punching)

Referee: Samuel Jenkinson (England)

Half Time: 0-28