A youthful Concordia Stingers women’s rugby team finished fourth at the CIS national championship after losing the bronze medal match 34-15 to the Alberta Pandas in Antigonish, N.S. on Sunday afternoon.
“We didn’t play the game we wanted to play,” said Stinger head coach Graeme McGravie. “But I am happy with the effort. We gave it everything we had, so I am happy with that.”
The teams exchanged penalty goals early on. Alberta’s Teanna Chase opened the scoring in the second minute, then Stingers’ fifth-year senior Jackie Tittley replied making the score 3-3.
The Pandas controlled much of the possession for the next 15 minutes. Canada West player of the year Chelsea Guthrie scored a try and the convert gave Alberta a 10-3 lead.
The second period started with pressure from the Pandas. Their efforts translated into a try in the 46th minute, giving Alberta a 17-3 advantage.
The Stingers finally connected for their first try of the game in the 55th minute as their maul pushed across the try line and Cara Stuckey scored.
Bianca Farella got the Stingers even closer just four minutes later as she swung around some Pandas tacklers and was able to score Concordia’s second try. Tittley’s conversion made it 17-15.
Just when the Stingers had gained momentum, Alberta lock Louise Chavarie scored a try in the 64th minute. The try went unconverted and the Canada West champions increased their lead to 22-15.
Alberta padded that cushion six minutes later with a try from prop Stacie Becker and a conversion from Chase. Centre Paige Farries wrapped up the scoring with a 30-yard run down the sideline in the 78th minute.
Tittley was the Stingers’ game MVP. Miranda Monty received player-of-the-game honours for the Pandas.
It was a tough finish to a great season. But with nine rookies in the lineup at nationals, the Stingers should be a power in Quebec and nationally for years to come.
