A hat trick try from USA centre Siaosi Koloamatangi two minutes from time ensured a 26-22 win over determined Ukraine, the conditions cooler after morning rain.

“We came here not knowing what to expect or how our boys would go but to win two of our three games is very pleasing,” said USA Young Hawks head coach, George Tupou. “This was a tough game but we managed to win it and this brings us a lot of attention and a hopefully a wider pool of talent, it’s getting our name out there.”

Ukraine lost influential Ryan Jurkans, who was injured in a tackle after the game’s opening break away in the first minute but they opened the scoring when Ryslan Lipisii created the space for Arsen Havdo to burrow his way over.

Drayson Moliga returned a penalty kick that failed to find touch half-way to spectacularly dive between the posts, giving Lidarius Moananu an easy shot on goal to nose USA in front. Koloamatangi latched onto a sublime offload to move USA further ahead and added his second three minutes later, Michael Fonua converting the first.

Ihor Yefanov stepped and dummied his way into the corner for Ukraine to keep them in touch, adding a superb conversion from the touchline to make it 16-10 at the interval. In the 45th minute, Popeliuk Valerii angled his run to the posts, Yefanov levelling, and Andrii Mordovanets capitalised on a USA mix up at the back from a kick for Vitaliy Bycharskyi to add an easy conversion.

Isaac Fonua hit back for USA on the hour mark, diving into the corner from brother Michael’s pass, but Moananu was unable to convert. Koloamatangi had the final word, just latching onto a kick into the in goal to settle the outcome, giving Chris Malo an easy shot on goal.

Yefanov was sent off for disputing the decision, leaving Ukraine shorthanded for the final two sets of a superb game.

Ukraine U19s coach, Ihor Yurkin, commented: “It was a great game, we tried our best throughout and even though we lost this – and the whole tournament – has been a great experience for our boys.”

After the tournament formalities, the Ukraniain squad left on a two day bus journey back home.

UKRAINE 22
Ryan Jurkans, Vadym Dotsiak, Klim Malyshev, Andrii Mordovanets, Konstiantyn Prydatko, Ihor Yefanov, Aziz Stepanenko, Maksym Harmash, Arsen Havdo, Bohdan Mazur, Ivan Mazur, Popeliuk Valerii, Phoenix Death Interchanges: Andriy Mladki, Konstiantyn Tiurin, Vitaliy Bycharskyi, Mykhaulo Novosad, Nazar Shmalko, Ryaslan Lipisii, Maksym Reshetukha, Kyrylo Volkov

Tries: Havdo (6), Yefanov (37), Valerii (45), Mordovanets (52),
Goals: Yefanov 2/3, Bycharskyi 1/1

Sent off – Ihor Yefanov (79 – dissent)

USA 26
Sulusi Satele, Tumua Moors, Isaac Fonua, Siaosi Koloamatangi, Drayson Moliga, Chris Malo, Michael Fonua, Cadin Iaone, Logan Myers, Jayden Hansen, Simote Manatau, Lidarius Moananu, Kenyon Paea Interchanges: Shawlee Ama, Ammon Haley, Beckham McGill, Ethan Ivy, Esiloni Malafau, Travis Ha

Tries: Moliga (11), Koloamatangi (29, 32, 78), Fonua (60)
Goals: Moananu 1/2, M. Fonua 1/2, Malo 1/1

Sin bin: Koloamatangi (3 - lifting over horizontal)