Narrow win for Canada

A penalty two minutes from time gave Canada a 23-20 victory over Portugal in Lisbon on Saturday as the Canadians ended their European tour.

Fullback James Pritchard kicked the winning points in his 18-point haul for the match which included two tries as Canada scored three tries to Portugal's two.

Canada attacked first and scored first when scrumhalf Sean White went over next to the posts. 7-0 after five minutes. Two minutes later Pritchard raced down the touch-line for his first try. 12-0 after 9 minutes.

With quick ball coming from the tackle/ruck it seemed that Canada would run up a big score till Australian flyhalf Joe Gardner raced 40 metres before giving to Antonio Aguilar who had an easy run-in for the try. 12-7 after 20 minutes.

Gardner's boot caused the Canadians no end of trouble and when Justin Mensah-Coker knocked on Portugal went right, then left, and wing  Gonçalo Foro scored. 14-12 to the home side after 27 minutes.

Just before half-time Pritchard restored Canada's lead with a penalty goal, 15-14, which was the half-time score.

Early in the second half Gardner kicked a penalty goal and Portugal led 17-15 but their cause was not helped by yellow cards for Julien Bardy and Gonçalo Uva.

Back came Canada and Pritchard got his second try - 20-17 till Gardner again kicked a penalty. 20-20. The with four minutes to play Pritchard kicked the winner.

Portugal came close just before the end when they had a five-metre scrum but the Canadian defence held.

Scorers:

For Canada:
Tries: Pritchard 2,  White
Con: Pritchard
Pens: Pritchard 2

For Portugal:
Tries: Aguilar, Foro
Cons: Gardner 2
Pens:  Gardner 2

Teams

Portugal: 15 Pedro Leal, 14 Gonçalo Foro, 13 Frederico Oliveira, 12 Pedro Silva, 11 António Aguilar, 10 Joseph Gardner, 9 José Pinto, 8 Tiago Girão, 7 Julien Bardy, 6 Vasco Uva, 5 Gonçalo Uva, 4 Rui D’Orey, 3 Cristian Spachuk, 2 João Correia (captain), 1 Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16 Bernardo Duarte, 17 João Junior, 18 Eduardo Acosta, 19 Laurent Balangué, 20 Pedro Cabral, 21 Francisco Mira, 22 Bernardo Silveira

Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Phillip Mackenzie, 12 Nick Blevins, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Sean White, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Sean Michael Stephen, 5 Tyler Hotson, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Andrew Tiedemann, 2 Pat Riordan (captain), 1 Tom Dolezel
Replacements: 16 Jason Marshall, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Jon-Josh Phelan-Jackson, 19 Chauncey O’Toole, 20 Connor Braid, 21 Jamie Mackenzie, 22 Taylor Paris

Referee: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)