OFSAA rugby for Parkside girls

   Defensive stand gives the Stampeders the WOSSAA A/AA title

  May 25, 2024

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - Defence shined right until the final whistle sending the Parkside Stampeders to OFSAA girls rugby.

The Stampeders made a goal line stand in the dying seconds holding of the Madill Mustangs, 26-19, in the WOSSAA A/AA girls rugby final May 24 at Parkside CI.

The victory sends the Stampeders to OFSAA, the provincial high school championship, at Courtice, just east of Toronto, June 3-5.

"It's awesome. I'm excited to go with this team," Stampeders co-captain Heidi Andrews said. "It was a hard fought game. We have a small team but we're fast. The line breaks and just supporting each other on the runs is what brought us to victory."

In the final minute of regulation time in the second half, Madill pushed to score a try, to give themselves a chance of tying the game, with a successful convert. But the Mustangs dropped the ball and picked it up again prior to the goal line, an infraction in rugby. Game over.

"It was a close call, but our defence led them to making a mistake and they knocked the ball which led to no score," Andrews said. "We did save three tries earlier."

Madill held the advantage in ball possession in the second half with their run and grind up the middle style, threatening to score three times, but were stopped with a trio of goal line stands.

"They were strong. They had a few good runners," acknowledged Andrews. "They caused a lot of penalties (against Parkside) to happen."

Parkside's offense used explosive runs along the sidelines, including Rosie McCaw and Maddy Chute, one that set up Andrew's second try.

"That was probably the best play we've ever had of Parkside rugby," Andrews said. "We were following each other with the ball and then the off loads."

Paige Kilmer scored the winning try, putting the Stampeders up 24-14 at the time, followed by a two-point convert kicked by Ella Ordronneau.

"Happy. Excited. I'm happy I can help my team, because I'm not usually that much involved in the game," ," the Grade nine player said. "I saw the ball and I knew no one else was there. So I took my chance and went in."

Another freshman who shined in the game was Peyton Eldred, impressing the captain.

"She was very strong. She really stepped up on defence," praised Andrews. "She played her position, flanker, really well. She was the one who held up the ball two times and it's her first ever like full game playing."

Andrews with two, Scarlett Wilson, another Grade 9 phenom and Kilmer, scored tries, while Ordronneau kicked three two-point converts.

Two years ago, Parkside went 1-2 at OFSAA AAA, held in Kitchener.

Several players including Andrews, Chute and McCaw were in Grade nine that year.

"It'll be more tougher games. We just have to have fun with it and take it all in, but don't it for granted. Sometimes it only happens once," Andrews said. "I'm very lucky to be going twice."

Parkside Stampeders, WOSSAA A/AA girls rugby champions are, from left, front row -  Ava Fletcher, Paige Kilmer, Mikaila VanDenDriescsshe, Natalie Down, Kaleigh Wright, Katelyn Decosta, Ella Ordronneau, Heidi Andrews, Zoey-Astley Duncan, Bailey Roy, Georgia Heinen, Kyra Phillips, Aleah Penner, Payton Eldred, back row - Addsion Madter, Averie Betts, Shae Watson, Josie Shannon, Shaylee Hampson, Jalissa Philip, Rosie McCaw, Sienna Purdy, Aba Coombs, Kate Crichton, Lucy Doan, Maddy Chute, Scarlett Wilson, Kenzie Clinton, Katelyn Dimoff, Gracie Latter, Kayley Kokko.

        rob@hometownplay.ca

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