KINGSTON, Ont. – Getting into the Halloween spirit, the Western Mustangs women's rugby team pushed the Queen's Gaels into their worst nightmare: reliving the 2014 loss that awarded Western the OUA Bronze Medal. For the second year in a row the Mustangs topped the Gaels for third place in Ontario, this time defeating Queen's on their home turf at Nixon Field with a 20-10 victory.
Shiels Division All-Stars
Paige Farries and
Nikki Case split the point leader position with
Danielle Spice and
Jessie Strong, as all four athletes contributed a try to the purple and white scoreboard.
Queen's was led by Emma Chown, who was the only Gael to put up points, scoring two tries.
While Queen's was able to keep active play concentrated in the purple and white end of the field for most of the first ten minutes, they struggled to break through the Mustang line.
Switching momentum quickly, Western began a deep press into the Gaels end. Around the 15-minute mark Spice finally connected with the in-goal area to put up the first points of the game.
Just minutes later Farries got her hands on the ball and ran more than half the length of the field to earn another five for Western.
The Gaels remained unable to hit the purple and white in-goal area as they were taken down just shy of their target every attempt. The Mustangs avoided having the same issue by outrunning their opponents for an easier lane.
With 13 minutes remaining in the half Case put another try on the board for Western after Farries carried the ball into the tri-colour half of the pitch.
At the close of the first 40 minutes, Western had a 15-0 lead.
Returning from the half down by 15 and without any points on the bard, Queen's kicked it into high gear. Forcing the Mustangs on defence, they kept up the pressure until Chown was able to find a hole in the purple and white line and earn five points for the Gaels in the first few minutes of play.
Chown scored another try at 66:14, this time having the opportunity to run along the in-goal area to plant the ball closer to the centre for an easier convert. Despite her efforts for a better placement, the kick ricocheted off the post, continuing day's pattern of missed kicks.
Western responded with a try from Strong just four minutes later, giving Western a 10-point lead.
With less than 20 minutes remaining and the bronze medal on the line, Queen's began to press harder. Forcing Western along their own in goal area, the Gaels were mere feet from another five points. Unable to close in on the in-goal area, they were pushed back into their own half.
After their impressive defensive stand the Mustangs closed out the game, taking a 20-10 win to claim the OUA Bronze Medal for the second consecutive season.
