The Martlet

The Cowichan Piggies brought their A-game to Wallace Field on Saturday, Nov. 15, as they trounced the UVic women’s rugby team 39-10.

Boasting a lineup of Team Canada players, the Piggies overwhelmed the Vikes with their speed and hard tackles early in the match with several well-orchestrated attacks.

Because of big hits by UVic prop Chelsey Minter, the Vikes’ forward pack was able to hold the Piggies off, forcing the ball out wide as they dominated at the breakdown.

Cowichan’s first try came after they charged down a rushed Vikes’ clearance from their 22, which went back into their try zone and was pounced on by No. 11, Carline Drimistan.

Only 10 minutes later the Piggies would have their second try, as their backline was able to get the ball out quickly from a scrum, again to Drimistan who was able to juke out the Vikes line and score on the far side of the zone.

UVic No. 8, Laura Szewczok, was able to build off the momentum and post UVic’s first try of the game minutes later, by running down the kicker and then inching her way to the try line.

The Piggies responded and were again able to move the ball down their backline where a mis-tackle lead to another try by No. 6, Jessie Redieck.

The speed the Piggies kept was too much for UVic, as fatigue set in with them on the defensive for much of the match. Hard scrums tired the Vikes pack as Cowichan grinded their way down field.

Cowichan’s experience was too much to handle and they were able to build on the lead posting four more tries and a conversion to seal the deal. The tries were scored by Jermaine Resete, Carline Drimistan and Caity Gemereaux.

Throughout the game, UVic still had the passion to keep things competitive by putting a try by No. 9, Sarah Logan bursting through the Piggies’ lines and catching the wingers off-guard to score the try.

Gemereaux had the last word, closing the game with a run down the line.

UVic coach Brad Skene put his side’s performance into perspective after the match.

“Cowichan comes down as a very physical side and it’s great for us to play against them because it makes us tougher,” Skene said.

The physicality was further echoed by Vikes’ Selina McGinnis as she remarked that UVic is getting a lot out of matches against tough oppositions.

“Even though we lost by 30 points, we are making progress,” McGinnis said.

Next game will see the Vikes face off against James Bay on Wallace Field at 11:30 a.m. on Nov 22.