Kevin Rothbauer Citizen
Cowichan’s senior women’s rugby team took its last road trip of the season last Saturday, travelling to Vancouver for an exhibition match against a young UBC team.
Despite having the advantage in the forward pack, and making it very close in the late going, Cowichan had to settle for a 49-41 loss.
“No question that Cowichan had the stronger scrum,” Cowichan forward Sherry Spence said. “We won all our own and almost every UBC scrum.”
The Thunderbirds, however, had the advantage in the backs.
“UBC had a very speedy and agile wing and full back that they were feeding the ball to as much as they could,” Spence said.
UBC led 24-21 at halftime, with Cowichan’s tries coming from Ashley Smith, Laura Russell and Rebecca Kerswell, with three conversions by Brittney Brown.
Carolyn Gudmundseth scored twice in the second half, including one try off a blocked kick and a 60-metre run, and Rebecca Kerswell also scored after picking off a UBC pass.
The score was 42-41 for UBC with two minutes remaining, but Cowichan tried to rush the play and UBC took advantage and scored to go up by eight.
The Cowichan women will play their last game of the season at home this Saturday at 11:30 p.m. against Bayside.
