Senior Girls rugby: Senior Hawks defeat Chinook Coyotes, prepare for playoffs

Lethbridge's Chinook Coyotes vs Pincher Creek's Hawks
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Senior and JV Rugby Girls hosted their Lethbridge Chinook Coyotes counterparts at Sproule Field on Tuesday evening, May 20.  It was the last home game of the regular season for the Hawks, and they made the most of it.  The weather was beautiful, relatively warm and only a light breeze stirring as the Senior teams faced each other on the pitch.  

"The defence was kind of sloppy in the first half, but got stronger, which was key," said Hawks coach Randy Whitehead after the game.  "It was 7-7 at the half.  They (the Coyotes) got a lead early, but they were battered back, as our defence picked up."

In the second half, the Hawks went on the offensive,  maintaining a strong defence when necessary.  It was a rough and tumble game, with lots of dramatic WHAM! moments from both sides.  There were several brilliant plays from a number of players that tipped the game in the Hawks' favor, including Danika Starzyk and Maia Jorgensen (great catch!), but it was an unrelenting effort from the whole team that carried the day. Yung Ha Jung was ultimately named Player of the Game.  Her successful kick in the second half was one of the highlights of a game I will remember as an all-time classic.  Relentless and entertaining.

"They came out with it being the last regular season home game," said Coach Whitehead afterward.  "I think that got them.  The seniors came out strong, which was good.  I thought the racking really helped us, the offloading.  When we had it we passed it and kept the ball moving and out of contact.  The raking was really, really good today."

The JV Coyotes exacted a little bit of payback  on their Hawks hosts for the Senior Coyotes' loss, winning their game by a significant margin.  The JV Hawks have been having a building season, and have shown significant growth over the course of their short season, and they're actually in good shape to face the upcoming season-end tournaments.  "I don't keep track too much (of the score), they're developing," said Coach Whitehead.  "Each game they're getting better, so it's good to see.  Some started making tackles, and some have shied from that a bit, so some that don't tackle tackled, and a couple of people that don't talk much were talking.  Not being timid.  Good to see."

"This is our last regular season home game, we've got the JV festival in Medicine Hat on Saturday, and next week there's most likely only going to be two teams for tier one playoffs, and we're tier one, so we are just going to be in the final, and that's a week from Monday."

"It's good. We are going to need a week and a half to rest injuries, heal, and practice."

"They're strong teams."