W-RUGBY ROUNDUP: Queen's, Guelph, Waterloo top standings after week two

After starting their season with a 52-22 victory over the York Lions the Western Mustangs women’s rugby team was back in action Sunday afternoon taking on the Queen’s Gaels. The fifth-ranked Gaels handed the Mustangs their first loss of the season, earning a 31-17 win.

The Mustangs spread the scoring around in the loss with Jenn Russell, Mackenzie Fane, and Lori Josephson all recording tries with Meaghann Buitinga recording one convert, her seventh of the season. Leading the way for the Gaels was Taylor White with four tries. Nadia Popov recorded the Gaels other points, scoring one try and three converts.

Western is back in action next Saturday, heading back on the road to face the Brock Badgers. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

Source: Western Sports Info

Brock @ Waterloo

The Warrior women's rugby team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 33-15 win over the Brock Badgers as part of their home opener on Sunday.  Brock opened the scoring in the early going of the game but Waterloo took over from there to clinch the victory.

Third year back, Nastasha Vrablic (Cambridge) had an outstanding game for the black and gold with two tries and a penalty goal conversion for a total of 13 points in the match.  Vrablic also help set up a late try to secure the Warrior victory.

Fourth year winger, Sarah Jane Garland (New Hamburg) also put together a strong game for  the home side with two tries, one of which was a highlight reel run up field from half, set up beautifully by outside centre Emily Sanderson (New Hamburg). 

Rounding out the Warrior attack was captain Briana Cunningham (Waterloo) with one try and Rachel Brown (Cambridge) chipping in with one convert and a penalty goal.

Scoring for the Badgers was Britany Mels, Morgan Houde-Pearce and Jessica Piva who each tallied a try in the loss.

Waterloo turn their attention to the perennial powerhouse Guelph Gryphons next Saturday, at home on the lower CIF field.  Brock welcome Western for their home opener.

Source: Waterloo Sports Info

Toronto @ Trent

The Varsity Blues women’s rugby team fell 38-12 to the Trent Excalibur on Sunday, September 9 in Peterborough, Ont.
 
The game moves both teams to 1-1 and in a three-way tie for second place in the OUA Russell division.
 
Trent got out to an early lead, scoring three tries in the first 15 minutes of action. The Blues got on the board with a try from sophomore Olivia Roberge (Ajax, Ont.) in the 30^th minute as U of T trailed 26-5 at halftime.
 
Toronto scored early in the second half with a try from rookie Emily Mitchell (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) and conversion from Toronto native Nicole Baker; however, the Excalibur added two more tries to round out the game at 38-12.
 
The Varsity Blues return to action next Saturday, September 15 as they travel to Kingston, Ont., to take on the Queen’s Gaels. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

Source: Toronto Sports Info

Laurier @ Guelph

The Guelph Gryphons women’s rugby team defeated the visiting Laurier Golden Hawks 91-0 today (Sept. 9) at the Guelph Varsity Field.

The Gryphons continue on the undefeated path with this victory which puts them up 2-0 in the regular season, while dropping the Golden Hawks to 0-2.

Building off the momentum from their previous victory over McMaster, the Gryphons got off to an explosive start.  Following a great run by veteran centre, Britt Benn (Napanee, ON), Caitlin Beaton (Clavering, ON) was able to find an opening to the Laurier tryzone to put Guelph up 5-0.  The Gryphons were quick to respond after a great grubber kick by Mackenzie Higgs (Aurora, ON) which allowed Benn to extend the Gryphons’ lead.

Dominance in the rucks throughout the first half allowed the Gryphons countless opportunities in the Laurier 22.  Further support from the wing line allowed the Gryphons to shut down any Laurier attempts to break past half.  To round off the half in Laurier territory, further tries were awarded to Brittany Priddle (Badjeros, ON), Bronwyn McCrone (Mississauga, ON), Caitlin McNally (Guelph, ON), Beaton, and Benn who added three more to her count, reaching a total of four on the day and setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Stephanie Tibelius (Ottawa) was able to convert on three of these opportunities to push Guelph forward 46-0 to start the second half.

Continuing their destruction in the second half, the Gryphons were able to prevent any Laurier opposition from breaching the Gryphon 22.  Contributing to outstanding tackling on all fronts, the Gryphon forward squad was able to maintain excellent position on the ball to thwart Golden Hawk opportunities. 

Combined with great communication along the wing-line, the Gryphons were able to take several trips into the Laurier tryzone to end the game.  Veteran full back McNally added another try to the score, while Jaymi Blodgett (Peterborough, ON) and Beaton each added individual tries to the second half score. Higgs and Dominique Monaghan (Markham, ON) each scored an additional two tries each with Tibelius contributing two more successful converts to bring her total to four.  Higgs also succeeded in tallying up three additional conversion attempts.

The Gryphons look to continue their streak against the undefeated Waterloo Warriors as they reach the midway point in their season next Saturday (Sept. 15).  The game is scheduled to take place at 1:00pm at the CIF Field in Waterloo.

Source: Guelph Sports Info

McMaster @ York