EDMONTON – At the first stop of this season's Canada West Sevens Series, the Lethbridge Pronghorns earned their best finish in a Sevens Series tournament, finishing second following a loss the Victoria Vikes in the first place game.
Last year in the inaugural Canada West Sevens Series, the Pronghorns best finish was fourth at the Edmonton stop in 2017. After the UBC tournament was cancelled due to inclement weather, the Pronghorns finished fifth in Victoria.
"Neil and I are super proud of the effort the girls put in this weekend," said associate coach Ashley Steacy. "We were able to take something from every game and apply it to the next. There were some really brilliant moments from the group that we can take into the next two tournaments."
"We've also identified key work ons for the next 3 weeks. We're definitely looking forward to Fraser Valley in 3 weeks."
Today in the first place game, a Brittany Orr try and Hannah Lopez convert gave the Pronghorns a early 7-0 lead but the Vikes would do all the scoring rest of the way, taking first spot this weekend with a 35-7 win.
Face the defending Canada West Champion Calgary Dinos in the Pronghorns first game of day two, the two teams battled to a 14-14 draw. Hailey Driscol and Abby Duguid each scored a try, while both Caitlin Sears and Hannah Lopez made a covert each.
In the final game of the round robin the Pronghorns finished off with a 29-12 win over the UBC Thunderbirds. At the half, the Pronghorns trailed 12-7 but scored 22 unanswered points in the second half to take second spot in the round robins standings.
The Pronghorns had five different places score tries with Carolyn McKee scoring in the first half and Hannah Lopez, Hailey Driscoll, Caitlin Sears and Brittany Orr each scoring a try in the second half. Sears also kicked two converts.
The Canada West Rugby 7s series will now head to Abbotsford, B.C. February 10th and 11th, as the Fraser Valley Cascades host the second of three tournaments this season.
Scoring summaries
Game 11: Lethbridge Pronghorns (14) vs. Calgary Dinos (14)
Scoring summary:
LET: 7-7: 14
CGY: 7-7: 14
CGY try – #13 Vanessa Graham (#10 Berlyn Seselja Convert) – 7-0
LET try – #2 Hailey Driscoll (#4 Caitlin Sears Convert) – 7-7
Half-time
CGY try – #8 Emily Tuttosi (#6 Laura Petrillo Convert) – 14-7
LET try – #1 Abigail Duguid (#5 Hannah Lopez Convert) – 14-14
Round 5
Game 13: UBC Thunderbirds (12) vs. Lethbridge Pronghorns (29)
Scoring summary:
UBC: 12-0: 12
LET: 7-22: 29
UBC try – #7 Ciara Malone (Convert missed) – 5-0
LET try – #10 Carolyn McKee (#4 Caitlin Sears Convert) – 7-5
UBC try – #15 Delaney Aikens (#4 Brooke Bazian Convert) – 12-7
Half-time
LET try – #5 Hannah Lopez (#4 Caitlin Sears Convert) – 14-12
LET try – #2 Hailey Driscoll (Convert missed) – 19-12
LET try – #4 Caitlin Sears (Convert missed) – 24-12
LET try – #6 Brittany Orr (Convert missed) – 29-12
Tournament standings
W L T Pts.
VIC 6 0 0 24
LET 3 2 1 16
CGY 3 2 1 16
UBC 3 3 0 15
ALB 2 4 0 12
UFV 0 6 0 6
NOTE: Teams are awarded 4 pts. for a win, 2 pts. for a draw, and 1 pt. for a loss.
Overall series standings
Pts.
VIC 10
LET 8
CGY 6
UBC 4
ALB 2
UFV 1
About the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series:
2018 marks the second season of the Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series, which has been made possible thanks to Canada West's partnership with B2ten and Rugby Canada.
Through their joint support, which will include scholarship opportunities for players at all six competing institutions, B2ten and Rugby Canada are committed to helping Canadian female athletes pursue their athletic careers, including an opportunity to progress to the national team.
The Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series champion will be crowned February 25 at the University of Victoria, as determined by cumulative series points.
2018 Canada West Women's Rugby Sevens Series tournament dates: University of Alberta (Jan. 20-21), University of the Fraser Valley (Feb. 10 and 11) and University of Victoria (Feb. 24 and 25).
