StFX defeats Acadia on strength of dominant second half

The CIS top ranked StFX X-Women rugby team cruised to a 60-12 win over the Acadia Axewomen on the strength of a dominant second half Sunday afternoon at Oland Stadium.

After leading 22-12 at halftime, the blue and white collected six second half trys in outscoring the CIS tenth ranked Axewomen 38-0. Tyson Beukeboom, the AUS Subway player of the match, scored her second try early in the final half. With the conversion by Magali Harvey, the X-Women extended their lead to 29-12. From there, the defending national champions started to roll, physically dominating while keeping much of the play in the Axewomen’s zone.

Harvey, who also chipped in four conversions, Jamee George, Sarah Kaljuvee, Emma Taylor and Lisa McGrath added second half trys. 

In the first half, Harvey, who scored 25 points in the match, opened the scoring with an early field goal. She extended the lead to 10-0 with her first try and conversion a few minutes later. Amanda Thornborough stretched the lead to 15-0 with her first try of the season.

Axewomen scrum-half Amber Davison cut the lead to 15-5 with a try.

Beukeboom’s first try, with Harvey adding the conversion, extended the X-Women lead to 22-5.
With less than two minutes remaining in the opening half, Deidre Rees of the Axewomen scored a try with Erin Beazley adding the conversion. At half-time, the X-Women led 22-12.

With the win, the blue and white start the AUS regular season 1-0, while the Axewomen fall to 0-1.
The X-Women return to action Sunday, Sept. 18, when they visit Halifax to face the rival Saint Mary’s Huskies, beginning at 2 p.m.

StFX’s next home match is Saturday, Oct. 1, when they host the UPEI Panthers on Homecoming Weekend. Opening kick-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Oland Stadium.