The Martlet

The UVic Women’s Rugby squad brought in the new year with a convincing  victory against the Port Alberni  Black Sheep in a 80-10 massacre last Saturday, Feb. 7, at Wallace Field.

There was something different about the team’s performance, as if they had only just overcome the last four months of being a younger team under a new coaching system.  With the transition behind them, the team seems to be in sync with a new  confidence on the playing field.

Kristy Gottselig got the Vikes their first try at home for the 2009 season by crossing the line within the first 10 minutes of the game. 

Sarah Logan started off the way she ended 2008, by outworking her home town  team and seeing the try zone three times.

The defence showed excellent conditioning, as they were able to make it impossible for Alberni to cross the Vikes’ 20-meter line.

By the end of the first half, the Vikes had proven that the holidays had not affected their intensity or finishes.

They looked as though they had been making good use of the extra time in the gym.

The  Sheep, on the other hand, were a different story as they fell apart and were plagued with injuries.

In a sportsmanship  gesture,  the Vikes lent some of their players to their opposition. This allowed the game to stay competitive and gave some of the younger players some valuable time on the field.

“The girls really have been working hard in January on their personal fitness, [and] their skill level has been getting better and better,” UVic coach Brad Skene said after the game.

The system, which had been breaching over the last four months, showed as the ladies where more technical with their plays and execution.

There are a number of UVic players in fine form to look out for in the next few weeks, including captain Sarah Logan, props Chelsey Minter and center Laura Szewczok, winger Selina McGinnis and center Kristy Gottselig.

The squad seemed to have found their groove and will be determined to keep their intensity up as they play James Bay next Saturday at MacDonald, with a kick off at 11:30 a.m.

The Vikes  defeated their James Bay rivals  by more than 30 points in both meetings during the fall season, and will be looking to do the same on Feb. 21.