RECAP: Pair of second-half tries lead Gee-Gees to upset Guelph
A pair of tries early in the second half led the No. 6-seeded Ottawa Gee-Gees to a 19-12 upset of the Guelph Gryphons in Game 1 of the 2024 Cavendish Farms U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship in Charlottetown.
Taking the second-half kickoff, Sydney Noseworthy capped the Gee-Gees drive as she put the ball down in the 39th minute, while Harley Magnusson, who had come on as a substitute earlier, plunged over the line four minutes later. Both tries were converted by Victoria Hough, and the Gee-Gees had turned a 7-5 halftime deficit into a 19-7 lead.
The Gryphons replied two minutes later as Abigail Auger scored from a pass out near the touch line to cut the gap to 19-12, but they could draw no closer.
Guelph had opened the scoring in the 11th minute on a try from Brooklyn Feasby, converted by Natalie Armatage as they took advantage of a strong early run of possession to take a 7-0 lead. However, they were unable to convert on several later chances in the half. Ottawa cut the margin to 7-5 on a try by Alysia Comtois, who won player-of the game honours, in the 37th minute.
With the win, Ottawa advances to Friday’s first championship semifinal, where they will take on the winner of the UBC-UPEI game at 1 p.m. (all times Atlantic). Guelph will take on the UBC-UPEI loser in the first consolation game, set for 5 p.m. Friday.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
Ottawa: Alysia Comtois
Guelph: Taylor McKnight
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST HALF
GUE – Try Brooklyn Feasby (Natalie Armatage conversion), 11’
OTT – Try Alysia Comtois (conversion failed), 37’
SECOND HALF
OTT – Try Sydney Noseworthy (Victoria Hough conversion), 39’
OTT – Try Marley Magnusson (Victoria Hough conversion), 43’
GUE – Try Abigail Auger (conversion failed), 45’