By Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
Two decisive shutout victories on the opening day of the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) girls A/AA rugby championships in Cobourg on Monday earned the host St. Mary Thunder a spot in the semifinals.
Games were held at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School and Westwood Park, home of the Cobourg Saxons club organization.
St. Mary opened its schedule with a 48-0 win over Thomas A. Blakelock from Oakville on Monday morning. Gloria Nott and Grace Jenkins each scored twice with Tristan van den Heuvel, Sydney Pipe, Sydney Souch and Elizabeth Seto adding single tries. Grace Seto completed four conversions.
In their afternoon match-up in pool play, the Thunder secured their semifinal berth with a 54-0 win over FE Madill Secondary School from Wingham. Grace Rice and Jenkins scored twice while Grace Seto, Kiera Martin, Bella Angelo, Ryleigh Woods, Ava Hughes and Pipe had a try apiece. Seto provided two more conversions as well.
Only the top teams from each of the four pools remain in medal contention heading into the second day of competition Tuesday.
In the championship semifinals at SMCSS, Peterborough’s Holy Cross will face Kingston’s La Salle at 2 p.m. which will be followed by St. Mary taking on Centre Dufferin at 3 p.m.
On Wednesday, the consolation final is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary followed by the bronze medal match at 11 a.m. and the championship final at 12:30 p.m.
St. Mary’s OFSAA roster includes: Ava Hughes, Maddie McLean, Brianna Bolton, Grace Rice, Bethany Hayward, Sydney Pipe, Grace Seto, Elizabeth Seto, Grace Jenkins, Kiera Martin, Brooklyn Sleep, Sydney Souch, Gloria Nott, Katrina McColl, Sinead O’Riordan, Adia Shaw, Diya Patel, Kaycee Craig, Lachlan McClellan, Meghan Meade, Veronika Mokros, Tatum Ireland, Presley Barton, Leila Briscoe, Mikaela Steward, Maggie Lycett, Ryleigh Woods, Emma Khaimovich, Bella Angelo,Emma Rypstra and Tristan van den Heuvel.
