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Gryphons successfully defend OUA rugby crown
GUELPH, Ont. – The No. 2 nationally-ranked Guelph Gryphons
(8-0) defeated the visiting Western Mustangs 39-7 for the OUA
women's rugby championship on Saturday at the University of
Guelph.
The Gryphons continued their undefeated season with their biggest
win yet, capturing the OUA gold medal for the second straight
season over the Mustangs. It is Guelph's ninth OUA championship in
14 seasons.
All season Guelph has been relentless on both ends of the field,
allowing just 12 points against and tallying 221 in their favour
during the regular season. In windy and muddy conditions, the team
capitalized on this high-scoring mobile offence and gritty defence
once again.
"We played hard on offence and defence," said Gryphons head coach
Colette McAuley. "Today we put everything on the line to win and it
showed. We made good decisions and showed great team continuity
between the forwards and backs."
From the opening kick, the Gryphons played like a well-rounded
unit. Almost the entire first half was played in the Western end of
the field, as Guelph dominated the scrums allowing for an effective
offensive attack. On defence, the Gryphons played ferociously,
pinning Western behind their gain line and creating several
turnover opportunities.
At the end of the first half the Gryphons led 24-0
In the second half Western was able to gain some momentum. Devanne
Whitney (Trenton, Ont.) scored a try and Laurie Biewald (Ottawa)
was able to score a conversion. But it was the only points the
Mustangs would get on the board, as the Gryphons continued to
dominate the game till the whistle blew.
OUA all-star Brittney Benn (Napannee, Ont.) led the Gryphons in
scoring with a pair of tries and converts. Fellow all-star Jacey
Murphy (Alliston, Ont.) and Brittany Sammut (Port Colbourne, Ont.)
added two tries, while Caitlin Beaton (Hepworth, Ont.) chipped in
with a try.
Both Guelph and Western advance to the Canadian Interuniversity
Sport (CIS) Women's Rugby Championship hosted by the University of
British Columbia in Vancouver fro! m Nov. 5-8.
When asked about the nationals, McAuley commented on some of the
teams and the work the Gryphons we'll need to put in.
"Our confidence will be up after today, but we'll have to practice,
especially on our defence. StFX has speed, more speed than we're
use to in the OUA and Lethbridge is strong and fast."
Last year, at the 2008 CIS championships, the Gryphons finished
third after beating the University of Laval Rouge et Or 22-12 in
the bronze medal game.
In the OUA bronze medal game at McMaster University, the host
Marauders defeated the Queen's Gaels 24-0.
Natasha Turner (Palo Alto, Calif.) scored two tries for McMaster
while Sara Van Hoof (Lindsay, Ont.) and Maggie Cogger-Orr
(Thornhill, Ont.) tallied one try each. Allison Morris (Stoney
Creek, Ont.) recorded two converts for four points.
McMaster had the Gaels number this season with Queen's finishing
second to the Marauders in the Russell Division. Queen's had a 4-1
record earning 19 points while McMaster also had a 4-1 record but
tallying 21 points. Head-to-head during the regular season the
Gaels lost to McMaster 39-6 in early September at home.
– OUA –
