The Varsity Blues women’s rugby team launched their 2008-09 season on Sept 10 with a well-deserved victory against the York Lions, taming their opponents with a score of 15-10 on U of T’s back campus.
The excitement among the players and their supporters was palpable. The young, promising Blues stand to benefit from the experience and grit of their OUA all-star scrum-half, Megan Boyles, who will be hanging up her cleats after this season.
“Knowing that Megan is in her final year means that we have the opportunity to start developing other players into the roles she fills on the team—both as a player and as a leader,” said Blues head coach Shannon Smith.
In their opening game against York, the entire team shone on the field.
The Blues launched the opening salvo early when Sonya Kuziw pushed the ball across the goal line with dogged determination, giving the Blues a 7-0 lead. Dominating the left side of the field with sustained drives, the possibility of a blowout seemed likely. The Lions, however, fortified their backline defense, denying the Blues several opportunities to score a try. At the end of the first-half, the Lions probed into the Blues’ territory, yet remained scoreless.
The Blues resumed their strong driving game in the second-half, with crisper passing by the flankers, as well as cleaner rucks. To their credit, the Lions maintained a stubborn defense of their goal line, thwarting the Blues’ attacks. As the second-half progressed, the Lions’ offense improved. They moved the game away from the right touchline into the centre of the field, where they strung several passes into coherent plays.
Boyles sapped the swelling energy of the Lions by increasing the Blues’ lead to 10-0 with a deft penalty kick. Instead of submitting, York countered with a hard won try. With the score 10-5, the game became a back-and-forth battle between both teams. Eventually, the Blues’ Brittany Evans scored her team’s second try of the game, boosting their lead to 15-5.
The Lions roared, unleashing spirited but desperate runs. The Blues demonstrated that their backline could be obstinate, denying their opponents passage to their in-goal area. When the Lions’ offense came alive, it was too late. The game ended with the Blues winning 15-10.
A delighted Boyles gushed about the potential of the team. She described her fellow players as exhibiting commitment, intensity, and participation—elements that the coaching staff will be able to build on. Playing in her final year, Boyles hopes to contribute by helping teammates to build on these positives.
Coach Smith shares Boyles’ optimism. “I like the make up of our team this year,” said Smith. “We’ve got a very talented class of rookies and it makes selections hard. It’s great for the program to have players of a high caliber coming in and challenging the veterans for spots. It means everyone has to work hard all season long to earn that starting spot week after week. Right now we have about 22 ladies who would all be excellent starters on the field. That’s the exact position any coach wants to be in.”
While the Blues fell to the Laurier Golden Hawks 20-10 last Sunday, their season looks promising. On the strength of their optimism and talented players, the Blues will enjoy considerable success this season, especially if they adhere to the old adage—try, try, try again.
