X-Women dominate Axewomen in rugby opener

The CIS ranked No. 3 X-Women rugby team picked up where they left off in AUS competition last season – on a winning note – handling the Acadia Axewomen 51-0 in their season opener at StFX’s Oland Stadium Saturday evening.

Player of the Game Tyson Beukeboom had two tries for the X-Women and veteran prop Asya Bartley also scored a pair of tries in the winning effort. The X-Women were held scoreless by the Acadia defense until 22 minutes into the game. After a StFX lineout deep in the Axewomen end, the pack was able to push the ball across the try line and Jamee George touched the ball down for the X-Women’s first try of the game.

Bartley and Beukeboom followed up with first half tries to establish a 15-0 half-time lead in favor of the 12-time defending AUS champion X-Women. 

StFX then broke the game open in the second half, controlling most of the possession and field position for the remainder of the game. Amanda Bedard and Jillian MacLaren scored tries in the opening 15 minutes and Bartley followed up with her second try of the game on a 50 yard run down field, exchanging passes en route with Amanda Thornborough.

Beukeboom, Thornborough and freshman Alex Munroe rounded out the second half scoring in the try department for the X-Women, while freshman fullback Magalie Harvey converted on three StFX’s tries for six points in the game, bringing the final damage to 51-0.

The X-Women (1-0) next see action on Sunday, Sept. 19th when they travel to Halifax to meet the Saint Mary’s Huskies (1-0) for a 2:00 pm match up.