Lethbridge – After racing out to a 24-0 lead, the Alberta Pandas held off a second half charge by the Lethbridge Pronghorns to claim third place at the Canada West Championships, 36-27.
The 'Horns outscored the Pandas 22-12 in the second half but they were unable to complete the comeback.
Off the opening kick, the Pandas put the 'Horns on their heels and after a pair of Pronghorns penalties set up the first try of the game, Amanda Smith took a quick tap and pushed the ball over to put the Pandas up 5-0 after the try went unconverted.
The Pandas kept the pressure on the 'Horns, pinning them deep in their own end but after stealing a Pandas scrum, the 'Horns were able to relieve the pressure for a short time, but they could not hold the Pandas at bay.
With the 'Horns backs against their goal line, the Pandas blocked a clearing kick and Alexa Martin fell on the ball for the second try of the game. Emily Bielech made the convert to put the Pandas up 12-0
The scoring continued for the Pandas with Savannah Dubien breaking a pair of tackles to score her first try of the game, followed by a try by Bielech, who converted Dubien's try but couldn't convert her own, putting the Pandas up 24-0.
With the 'Horns pinned deep again, Fisayo Latilo went on a 60 metre scamper to take the pressure off and following a Pandas penalty, Abby Neudorf got the 'Horns on the board. The convert was missed making the score at the half, 24-5.
Whatever head coach Ric Suggitt said at the half, it worked, as the 'Horns exploded for two quick unconverted tries. Abby Duguid scored in the early moments of the second half followed by a try from fifth-year senior Frederique Tremblay. Both went unconverted but the 'Horns only trailed by nine points, 24-15.
Just when it looked like all the momentum was in the 'Horns favour, Ferris Sandboe found a crack in the 'Horns defense and sprinted for her first try of the game. The Bielech convert pushed to score to 31-15 for the Pandas.
However, the Pronghorns weren't going to go away quietly. Off a quick tap penalty, the ball made it out to substitute Sydney De La Mare who broke through for another 'Horns try. Abby Neudorf made the convert to bring the 'Horns back within nine, 31-22.
Pandas would respond again, Sara Haring scored a try with 10 minutes to play to put the Pandas up 36-22.
The back and forth action continued as Hailey Driscoll scored for the 'Horns, cutting the Pandas lead to 36-27 with less than four minutes to play but that was as close as the 'Horns would get.
Scoring Summary
Panda's try - #9 Amanda Smith (convert missed) – 5-0 Pandas
Panda's try - #6 Alexa Martin (convert good - #11 Emily Bielech) – 12-0 Pandas
Panda's try - #15 Savannah Dubien (convert good - #11 Emily Bielech) – 19-0 Pandas
Panda's try - #11 Emily Bielech (convert missed) – 24-0 – Pandas
Horns Try - #6 Abby Neudorf (convert– missed) – 24-5 Pandas
Second half
Horns Try - #7 Abby Duguid (convert missed) – 24-10 Pandas
Horns Try #8 Freddy Tremblay (convert missed) 24-15 Pandas
Pandas Try #12 Ferris Sandboe (convert good - #11 Emily Bielech) – 31-15 Pandas
Horns Try - #17 Sydney De La Mare (convert good - #6 Abby Neudorf) – 31-22 Pandas
Pandas Try - #4 Sara Haring (convert missed) – 36-22 Pandas
Horns Try - #11 Hailey Driscoll (convert missed) – 36-27 Pandas
