Boys U-17 Team Deals with Tough Loss in Inaugural Test against Portugal

MILLFIELD, England -- The first-ever USA National Under-17s Team lost a close one 11-8 in its first international match at Millfield Rugby Festival against Portugal, on Tuesday.

The contest was played on the Jubilee Rugby pitch (the main rugby pitch of eight on the sports campus) in front of a nice sized crowd on a cloudy and windy day. Both teams were newcomers to the festival event and both saw their share of nerves to open the match.

The Portuguese U-17’s were the first and only ones on the board in the first half, scoring off of a penalty kick six minutes into the match after the U.S. was called for hands in the ruck. Portugal scored off a drop goal twenty minutes later to extend their lead to six by halftime.

Throughout the game, the U.S. had its share of near misses and successes, with phases of play that were impressive at times, but fell one pass short in attack. The first phase of play was solid to say the least and often provided good foundations to build from. Tyler Salamon proved steady in the air at lineouts, and the tight five were strong in the scrums. While the backs had an occasional issue, they too put together several good multi-phase plays that came inches short of breaking into vast pace and crossing the line.

Early in the second half, the USA’s fullback Sean Conger teamed up with Steven Sandefer (wing) for a wonderful assist to a chasing Cameron Dolan (#8) for the only USA try of the match. The conversion missed just right, but the USA was finally on the board. Flyhalf Brendan Gray added a penalty kick for the U.S. just under 10 minutes later and the U.S. had the lead 8-6 with just over 15 minutes to play. Portugal would come back, however, and at 46 minutes, scored a try by attacking the weak side of the ruck and slipping the U.S. defense from five meters out. The match would end with Portugal on top, 11-8.

"At times we were very good. At other times we were so close but just didn’t do the little things that are required to succeed in international play,” said Bart Bottorff, USA U-17s Program Director. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to test ourselves at this level and at this event, which is such a quality show. The kids are stepping to the plate and facing the competition very well."

Several veterans of the England RFU and top officials congratulated the USA team and staff following the match with such comments as, "a very exciting game of rugby to watch" and "we are impressed with the American athletic ability and level of play at this point."

The Young Eagles took many quality pointers from their first test. The players and staff are excited to fix the small things and to face a very large Romanian team next on Thursday, April 5.

Portugal 11, USA 8 (Halftime: Portugal 6, USA 0)

USA
Tries: Cameron Dolan
Conversions: None
Penalties: Brendan Gray

USA Lineup:

1. Sage Winn, Fredrick RFC (Zach Griggs, Penn HS, in at 49); 2. Josh Levan, Penn HS; 3. Josh Alden, Woodlands RFC (Jordan Maitland, Gonzaga HS, in at 49); 4 Tyler Salamon, Penn HS; 5. Adam Howland, Brownsburg HS (Kevin Kimble, New Rochelle HS, in at 55); 6. Brian Hussey, Trojans RFC; 7. Daniel Ibarra, Hong Kong; 8.Cameron Dolan, Naples, Fla.; 9. Kyle Caravelli, Fairfield Prep RFC; 10. Brendan Gray, Trojans RFC; 11. Johnson Bademosi, Gonzaga HS (Jeff Levasseur, Charlotte Catholic, in at 42); 12. Austen Mount Loggers RFC; 13. Curtis Chaffin, Katy RFC (Tom Smith, Cowichan, Canada, in at 46); 14. Steven Sandefer, Penn HS; 15. Sean Conger, St. Johns Prep HS.