X-Women Rugby oh so close to exhibition win

The X-Women rugby team lost for the first time on home turf in 5 years, dropping a close 17-12 decision to the Lethbridge Pronghorns Sunday afternoon in exhibition action at StFX Oland Stadium.

A supportive X crowd of approximately 400 fans came out to see the top two CIS ranked teams in the country battle it out. Lethbridge are the two-time defending CIS champions and are currently ranked first in the county, having defeated the number two ranked X-Women in last year’s CIS championship game. 

There might have been a case of the nerves as the X-Women came out shaky in the first half, chasing the speedy Pronghorns from the get-go and allowing two early tries. Kenzie Ralph scored the first try of the game for Lethbridge, just three minutes in, breaking through an open pocket. Her try was followed by another from teammate Ashley MacDonald just a few minutes later. CIS championship MVP Ashley Patzer made good on the ensuing convert, establishing an early 12-0 lead for the visitors from the Canada West conference.

Lethbridge continued to pressure and held possession in the StFX half of the field for a good portion of the first half of the game. They scored their third try, credited to Lynn Suttie, as the scrum pushed over the try line. The Pronghorns held a 17-0 lead at half-time.

The X-Women came out a different team in the second half, and held the edge in scoring and possession. They held the Pronghorns scoreless and reigning CIS Player of the Year Ghislaine Landry recorded two tries in the game.

Landry’s first try came nine minutes into the second half as StFX was pressuring in the Lethbridge end. She followed with her second try about 12 minutes later, breaking through a pair of Pronghorns en route to the end zone. Courtnay Malcolm made good the conversion, and the 11-time AUS defending champions were within one try of the Pronghorns at 17-12.

The X-Women kept up the pressure throughout the half and were pressuring to tie the game. Rookie Jessica Jacobs was close to jumping on a loose ball in the end zone but was held back by a Pronghorn player in a questionable penalty try play. Asya Bartley was inches from the try line with less then a minute to go before being held back by the Pronghorn defense.

In the end the 17-12 score in favor of the visiting Pronghorns held for the exhibition win. The last time the X-Women lost a game at home was in 2004, dropping a 15-11 decision to UPEI in AUS regular season league play.

StFX will have a chance to earn their first victory on the newly renovated Oland Stadium field turf this Wednesday evening, Sept. 16th when they host the Saint Mary’s Huskies at 6:00 pm in their AUS season opener.

Scoring Summary

Lethbridge
Tries (5 pts): Kenzie Ralph, Ashley MacDonald, Lynn Suttie
Converts (2 pts): Ashley Patzer
Penalty goals (3 pts): none
Drop goals (3 pts): none

StFX
Tries (5 pts): Ghislaine Landry (2)
Converts (2 pts): Courtnay Malcolm
Penalty goals (3 pts): none
Drop goals (3 pts): none