April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) - Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

April 18th, 2022   Vancouver, BC. (ISN) –   The luck of the Irish was not in the men’s Canada Sevens favour, as the host team fell 17-7 to Ireland to finish in 10th place at BC Place Sunday during the Vancouver leg of the HSBC World Sevens series.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

After falling behind 0-2 in day one Pool “C” play Saturday to the top two teams in the 2022 series standings in Australia and South Africa, Canada would salvage the day with a narrow 26-21 win over Spain to enter Sunday’s playoffs looking to better their last two tournament results by finishing better than a ninth-place quarter final berth before bowing out in Seville and Singapore.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

Sunday, the Canadian men would take the field early in a breakfast club match versus Japan, looking to advance to the ninth-place semi-finals. In their only other meeting of the year in Dubai, Japan would claim victory over Canada in an 11th place playoff match. Not to be overstated, Canada would be wary this time out at Japan’s rise in World Sevens play.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

With a taste of victory in their last outing Saturday against Spain, Canada would handle Japan easily from the opening kick-off.  Canada would score seemingly at will against an unprepared Japanese side. Canada would score five unanswered tries in the match, going up 12-0 on tries by Phil Berna, and Alex Russell to finish the first half.  Canada’s Alex Russell would get the nod to start the second half, dotting the ball down again in the first of another three Canadian tries.  Jake Theil and Anton Ngongo would also contribute a try each before Japan would be afforded a consolation try in in the final minute of the game on an effort by Ren Miyagami.  Canada’s kicker Cooper Coates would convert on 2 of 5 attempts.  With a 29-5 win over Japan, Canada would gain a berth to the 9th place semi-final against Scotland.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

Scotland proved to be a worthy competitor for Canada in the 9th place semi-final, however Canada would prevail in a back-and-forth battle to claim a 26-22 victory. Scotland would jump out to a 15-7 lead with tries by Ross McCann, Jamie Ferndale, and Harvey Elms, however Elms’ misses on all three conversion attempts would prove the difference in the match.  Canada’s speedy Brock Webster would give Canada some inspired play with a try in the third minute and then another to end the first half 15-12 in favour of the guests.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

Canada would come out of the halftime break with a noticeably quicker pace in their game.  Canada’s Jake Theil, scoring his third try of the Vancouver Sevens, would be the recipient of a Cooper Coates pass to beat the Scottish defender to advance with a 19-15 lead, before Alex Russell would put the home team on top with what would be the game winning try 26-22 in the 10th minute of play. Scotland’s Jacob Henry would be afforded a reply, albeit too late, a try to narrow the score however Canada would hold on for a 26-22 victory much to the liking of appreciate Team Canada fans.  Scotland’s missed opportunities, going 1-4 on conversion attempts, would highlight the loss for the Scottish side despite the stiff challenge to Canada.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

Canada, with the win over Scotland, prepared for a 9th place finals match versus Ireland. Ireland would come to the final with a 1-2 record in pool play, and a 3-2 standing in the tournament to match Canada.  Equal on paper, Canada would not find “lucky charm” field favour over Ireland, falling with a 7-17 loss.  Canada’s Anton Ngongo would be lone try scorer for Canada, while Ireland’s Andrew Smith, Steven Kilgallen, and Jack Kelly scored the majors in the winning effort.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

With the win, Ireland would claim a 9th place final tournament standing, while Canada would place 10th.  With the 10th place finish Canada can be resolved in the fact that although not a winning outing, Vancouver Sevens’ final result is a showing to Canadian Sevens fans that their team seems headed in the right direction.

April 16, 2022. Vancouver, BC (ISN) – Erich Eichhorn image ( www.allsportmedia.ca)

With the final result, Canada now improves their HSBC World Sevens standings with three legs remaining in the season, moving up one spot to 12th place overall in the 19 team series.  Canada now travels to Toulouse, France before a stop in London and Los Angeles.