Stamps break through to WOSSAA

   Parkside wins first TVRA AA girls' rugby championship downing Glendale,

   then shut out all opponents at a tournament 24 hours later 

Thursday May 17, 2018

By Rob J. Ross 

ST. THOMAS - The Parkside Stampeders have busted through to WOSSAA.

Mya Henderson and Aliah Brown both scored two tries each, as the Parkside Stampeders dumped the Tillsonburg Glendale Gemini, 45-22, in the Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) AA girls' rugby final, Tuesday, at Parkside CI.

"Our passing, getting it (ball) far out to the outside to the far wingers was much improved from the last time we played this team (48-5 regular season win)," said Parkside co-captain Steph Boyko, who had one try. "Our line-outs (were strong). We had a few steals there."  

The Stampeders built a 35-7 lead by half. Maggie Gordon and Jordyn Wilcox, also scored tries, while kicker Michelle Mills converted five of seven attempts.

Glendale's Kate Ram delivered all four of her team's tries, one which was converted.

"We posted up well at the scrum. Our defensive line was set well, so that way we were able to hit tackles right away and be able to steal the balls out of the ruck," Parkside co-captain Ally Cole said. "Amazing. Words can't describe. I'm so excited. I can't wait (for WOSSAA)."

Parkside hosts the Western Ontario Secondary Schools Athletic Association (WOSSAA) AA final (1:45 pm), on Thursday, May 24, against the Huron-Perth Conference champion. The winner advances to OFSAA, June 4-6, in Stratford.

Clinton St. Anne's is favoured to win Huron-Perth and are the reigning WOSSAA AA champions, for the entire decade. Last season at WOSSAA, the Eagles destroyed London South, who had beat Parkside in the TVRA final.

The Stampeders are riding a wave of momentum after winning not only the TVRA title, but a tournament (20 minute games), next day, at St. George's Society fields, east of London.

Parkside dominated the competition by an average score of 30-0. That's right, the Stampeders never allowed a single point, including defeating Glendale again, this time 35-0, in the final.

"We pushed up. We didn't give them any space anywhere along the whole defence line, so the other teams had no where to go. We hardly let the other teams get into our end," Boyko said. "I knew we could do really well, but I didn't know we would do that well."

Parkside silenced North Park Central, London Saunders and Stratford St. Mikes, scoring early and often in each game, on their way to the final. This marks the third consecutive year the Stampeders have won the tournament.

"We are full of confidence and if we keep our spirit up I think it will really help at the WOSSAA game, said Boyko.

Parkside boys

The Stampeder boys had a pair of shutout wins over London Oakridge and London Lucas and a scoreless draw with London Beal, in TVRA action.

Parkside host the WOSSAA AA final, on Thursday, May 31.

At a tournament at St. Georges Society fields, the Stampeders won the B division.