LETHBRIDGE – Leaving everything on the field, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns battled valiantly against a dominant UBC Thunderbirds program in the second semifinal of the 2023 Canada West Rugby 15s Championship, Thursday evening at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium. UBC proved their top ranking, defeating the Horns 52-5.
 
Adia Pye set the tone early, opening the scoring for the UBC Thunderbirds. The Pronghorns sought an upset, entering the tournament as the fourth-ranked team. In the 18th minute, Savannah Bauder added to the Thunderbirds' lead with a try, and successfully converted to solidify the Thunderbirds' control over the game.
 
Despite the Pronghorns' efforts, the Thunderbirds refused to yield an inch of ground. In the 31^st minute, Kiki Idowu carved through the Pronghorns defence to run in another try for UBC. Just two minutes later, Savannah Bauder struck again, extending the Thunderbirds' lead.
 
UBC's grip on the match continued as an interception from Sara Kaljuvee led to another try, as she passed the ball off to Adia Pye who crossed the line for the Thunderbirds. Pye wasn't done, as she secured her third try just before halftime, putting the game further out of reach for the Pronghorns. The scoreboard painted a stark picture: 38-0 for UBC.
 
The second half offered no respite as the Thunderbirds maintained their hold on the game, even in the 45th minute, when the Pronghorns mounted a spirited offensive push to within one metre of the Thunderbirds' line, they couldn't find a way through the Thunderbirds' defense. Savannah Bauder continued to control the game offensively, scoring another try despite Verity Fex's relentless chase.
 
The Pronghorns refused to quit throughout the second half, and were finally rewarded in the 66^th minute, as Brooklyn Perry earned the lone try for the Pronghorns. Zina Umeh made an incredible play in the 73^rd minute of the game to stop the Thunderbirds at 52-points, coming up with the tackle to stop UBC at the line.
 
UBC maintained control throughout the entire 80 minutes to secure the victory at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium. With the win, UBC earned their place in 2023 Canada West Rugby 15s Championship final against the University of Victoria Vikes, Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
 
             1     2        F
LET      0      5       5
UBC   38    14       52
 
3' – UBC Try - #11 Adia Pye (Convert Missed); 5-0 UBC
18' – UBC Try - #10 Savannah Bauder (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 12-0 UBC
31' – UBC Try - #6 Kiki Idowu (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 19-0 UBC
34' – UBC Try - #10 Savannah Bauder (Convert Missed); 24-0 UBC
37' – UBC Try - #11 Adia Pye (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 31-0 UBC
40' – UBC Try - #11 Adia Pye (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 38-0 UBC
 
HALF
 
41' – UBC Try - #7 Sadie Gluvic (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 45-0 UBC
47' – UBC Try - #10 Savannah Bauder (Convert #10 Savannah Bauder); 52-0 UBC
66' – LET Try - #9 Brooklyn Perry (Convert Missed); 52-5 LET