Stingers win Quebec women’s rugby crown

The Concordia Stingers defeated the Laval Rouge et Or 13-10 in overtime to win the Quebec women’s rugby championship and earn a berth in the CIS national championships Nov. 5-8 at University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

“I’m over the moon,” said Concordia head coach Graeme McGravie after the emotional game. “I need a defibulator. It was heart attack rugby.”

In regulation time, the Stingers went up 10-0 on a try from Hughanna Gaw with Jackie Tittley making the convert and connecting on a penalty kick. Laval came back to tie the game and force the overtime.

In extra time, Tittley had the only points with another penalty kick.

“I can’t say enough about this team,” said McGravie. “I don’t know where the players found the energy, especially in overtime.”

This is the third consecutive year the Stingers and Rouge et Or have met in the league final. In 2007 Concordia won 17-5. In 2008 the teams were tied 20-20 at the end of overtime, but Laval was given the win since it had scored more tries.

The Stingers finished in second place in the Quebec conference with a 5-1 win-loss record. The Rouge et Or were undefeated in six league games. In the only regular season meeting between the two teams Laval won 19-12.