Samoa A has continued its winning run at the Pacific Rugby Challenge in Fiji.
Last night, the Mailo Potu Leavasa-coached team overcame Canada A, 19-17.
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The win follows another narrow two-point victory against Tonga earlier during the week.
Playing under difficult weather conditions of intermittent rain, wind and humidity, the game opened in Canada's favour with fullback Pat Kay opening the scoring with a penalty from underneath the posts.
The Samoans then capitalized with their powerful running on the fringes and touched down for the first try of the game. After a successful conversion, the score stood 7-3.
The next twenty minutes saw both teams exchange possession, but they were unable to string together successful phases as knock-ons slowed down the game. However, at the end of the half Coach Kieran Crowley's outfit poured on the pressure.
From a mid-field scrum, winger Phil Mackenzi e— who scored three tries in Canada's opener against Junior Japan — broke through the line with pace before off-loading to scrum half Sean White. White then found Kay, who raced towards the goal-line before being brought down metres shy of the line.
The ball then rapidly found its way through the hands and into hooker Benoit Piffero's grasp and he dove over to re-take the lead for his side. Kay was successful into the wind with a difficult conversion attempt and the score stood 10-7 for Canada.
On the ensuing kick off, Canada's clearance kick was bobbled by the Samoan winger and flyhalf Harry Jones scooped up the errant ball with a burst of speed. Before going into contact, Jones found outside-centre Ciaran Hearn, who touched down under the posts.
After a successful kick from Kay, the score stood 17-10.
The second half would not go as planned for the Canadians. Samoa had three straight opportunistic penalty kicks to take the lead for good.
"For next game we need to hold onto the ball.
"We're stringing some phases together and putting up some good kicks, but we need to keep the ball in hand and not give it away," said Canada's John Moonlight.
"Obviously we left a lot of points on the field and it was disappointing to not take a win here today.”
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