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USA Tomahawks beat Canada Wolverines 30 - 22 in Colonial Cup decider

(Toronto) The United States Tomahawks will go into the 2013 Rugby League World Cup on a high after defeating Canada in a nail biter 30-22 in the 4th and deciding game of the 2013 Colonial Cup.  Canada started the match knowing they would need to win by 21 points to secure their first ever Colonial Cup title. An added incentive was to send Canada coach Jamie Lester off with a victory in his final International match. It was Canada who got off on the right foot for the first time against the USA all year.  Jamie Beaton on debut from the Surrey Beavers in British Columbia latched onto a Matt Wyles kick in goal to score a dramatic opener after only a few minutes of play.  The boisterous crowd could be heard for blocks and they were on their feet again only 3 minutes later.  This time Christian Miller continued his epic run of form with an ankle breaking run to score Canada's second try of the match.  Jamie Beaton added the extras and the score was 10-0 Canada.   

The USA then went on a run of their own.  Gabe Farley got them off the mark with a probing run from 20 metres out, spotting the gap in Canada's backtracking defence. They were at it again 5 minutes later, this time standout halfback Brent Shorten taking it in after some strong play from the USA forward pack.  A third try was scored when fullback Gareth Gibbs, outsmarted the Canada defenders taking advantage of an over lap and a tired Canadian back line.  The half would end strongly for the Canadians when Rob Autagavaia punched in his first international try from 3 metres out.  That final tally made the halftime score 14-14 with all to play for in the second half.  

After the restart Canada again went on the attack.  This time they forced the USA into an error and when a high tackle was called on Salesi Tongamoa, the Wolverines elected to kick for goal.  Debutant Jamie Beaton added to Canada's points slotting through the penalty to give Canada a 16-14 advantage.  Play ebbed and flowed for 10 minutes before the USA were in the end zone once again.  Gareth Gibbs completed his brace finishing a flowing move in the corner.  Then Brent Shorten notched his second of the match spotting a gap in the centre of the Canadian defence to score under the posts.  Canada were not out of it yet and reached glory again 8 minutes later.  Brett King scoring after a Jamie Lester kick was picked up by Jamie Beaton and then offloaded for Brett King who spun and took the ball in for the try.  The final word would go to the USA who scored with 3 minutes left Brent Shorten scoring a hat-trick in style finishing off his own up and under behind the sticks to make the final score 30-22 the USA Tomahawks are 2013 Colonial Cup Champions.  

MACRON 3 STARS
1st  - Brent Shorten (USA)
2nd - Gareth Gibbs (USA)
3rd - Christian Miller (CAN)

Canada 22

Tries:
Jamie Beaton, Christian Miller, Rob Autagavaia, Brett King

Goals:
Jamie Beaton (3)

Canada Lineup:
Robin Legault, Brett King, Geoff Bylund, Christian Miller, Tony Felix, Matt Wyles (c), Jamie Lester, Eric Moyer, Adam Moody, Rob Autagavaia, Ben Fleming, Henry Miers, Craig Leveridge, Joe Perez-Bangay, Lukas Silver, Jamie Beaton, Enoch Wamalwa

USA 30 

Tries:
Gabe Farley, Brent Shorten (3), Gareth Gibbs (2)

Goals:
Craig Priestley (3)

USA Lineup:
Gareth Gibbs, Arber Cobaj, Luke Barron, Gabe Farley, Louis Tulio (c), Brent Shorten, Matt Walsh, Mike Schacter, Craig Priestley, Salesi Tongamoa, Mark Offerdahl, Casey Clarke, Josh Rice, Apple Pope, Les Soloai, Siose Muliumu, Curtis Cunz

Referee - Paul Byrne (UK)

Attendance - 5,176
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