Gryphons women’s rugby move on to OUA Championships undefeated

Sasha Odesse

 

On Oct. 22, the Gryphons women’s rugby team met the Queens Gaels in a match for the final position in the OUA Championship game. 

“I have to give it to Queens because they were probably the toughest opposition we’ve seen so far in terms of defence and organization as a team. They gave us a difficult time in the scrum so we had to do some adapting there and play really hard defence,” said head coach Colette McAuley. “Even when they gave us a difficult time in set piece we adapted well and still attacked in any area that we felt was an opportunity and so they never got discouraged. If they couldn’t penetrate one area then they tried another so it was really great to see.”

Guelph’s ability to adapt would allow them to score a total of 50 points that would remain unanswered for the duration of the game, securing their place in the Championship game.  The win against Queens also means that the Gryphons will host the Championship game next Saturday Oct. 29.

According to McAuley, the ability to play on home turf is “fantastic.”

“Home field advantage is truly that, I mean especially with the turf field it takes away all the chaos of the bouncing rugby ball and then we just know how to play it. So Mac is used to playing on grass– that’s their home field­– so it gives us a bit of an edge and an advantage that’s for sure. “

Learning from the game against Queens the girls must now prepare for the potentially golden game against McMaster.

 

“I don’t have any game film on [McMaster] but when Queens and Mac played earlier in the season, it was a really close game so I’m expecting a very similar style– a strong pack [and] strong forward plays. We know they’re going to try to dominate really close and then I’m just going to use [the team’s speed] to attack out wide,“ said McAuley.

In regards to the Gryphons chances at claiming a OUA gold for the fourth time in a row, McAuley expressed her optimism and confidence in the team.

“Even though Guelph had a few injuries last Saturday we have such depth that it doesn’t matter what combination we put out we’ve been successful, which is again really nice especially when you go into a tournament like CIS when it’s three games in three days,” said McAuley. “So we need all 25 players to step on that field and do the job and it’s nice that all 25 can. “

The Gryphons will be on Varsity Field next Saturday, Oct. 29. Gryphon fans are highly encouraged to go out and support the team as they battle Mac for gold.

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