WOMEN'S SQUAD BRINGS HOME CUP: Two Late Tries Bring Victory  25th Aug 2009

(This story has been delayed due to technical difficulties, i.e: Bryce erased the original manuscript on Stone's computer and the article had to be rewritten)

Yes, the bus ride was big, but even bigger was the pre-game meal on Friday night at 23 St- Pierre. After a hearty meal of Penne and homemade sauce, Captain Sommer brought renewed focus to the team for the FRQ Women's championship, as she read from a list of personal messages.

These messages are part of a book Sommer has been crafting, each chapter being a pre-game ritual where players provide short messages to team mates. On this night, she read the final chapter ... Chapter Ten: centred around the question, "What does this Club mean to me??"


 

As slides flashed up on a screen, Sommer read. Here is a modest selection of the comments:

"When I look at our team I see determination, focus and strength."

"This team means everything to me: Friends, fun, Rugby, excellence, summer and so much more..."

"I play for this team because there is NO better Club! We are not only a team, but a family representing the Ste Anne's crest."

"This team means great summers, great friends, amazing athletes, hard work, commitment and success. I love this team and am sooooo glad I joined last year!"

 


"I can’t imagine what my summers would be like without Rugby at Ste-Anne's. I can’t imagine what this summer would’ve been like without Rugby. But, this team has brought me so much more than just a summer of Rugby ...  I’ve found friends I can lean on, teammates I can count on, coaches who will push me, and captains who inspire me. This family has brought me strength, hope and determination for the battles I will face both on and off the field …and at a time when I needed their support the most."

 

           

 

 

       

As Sommer read these and other messages, a few tears were shed, many from this observer. It was at this moment that I felt I was already in a room full of champions. Still, there was a Rugby game to be played and it was a game that lived up to the billing about power and determination already mentioned in Chapter ten.

The Quebec women's team declared that they would not be denied this year and they jumped out to an early 13-0 lead. They managed to maintain this margin until there was less than  20 minutes to go.

 

              

However, at no time did it seem that the SAB women had stopped believing. A Ste-Anne's converted try brought the score to within striking distance at 13-7.

Then Erica Leonard, subbing into the back line drove for the line and scored to make the score 13-12.

 

A few minutes later. ( Her answer is in Chapter 10..."The World")  At that moment, she certainly meant the world to the many fans who had gathered In Ormstown for the game.

 

     

To round out the championship, Ste-Anne's were awarded a late penalty, and a successful kick put Ste-Anne's in the lead 15-13. It was the final score. The victory guaranteed that  there would be many hung-over SAB men's players on the bus to Quebec City the next morning.

Ormstown did an excellent job of organizing the Women's finals and the three full teams of referees performed admirably. The final was officiated by Charles Goode and he was no exception. It was a day that speaks well for Rugby in this province.

Saturday night saw many Club members celebrating the marriage of Renee and Turchetta. Kudos to Rob for making the trip to Quebec and playing the next day. He did not regret it.

 

All who came enjoyed the sight of Dan T at fly half and a remarkable "spinarama" move  by Old School. Rumour has it that Stone made what he claims were two tackles, but I think that's pushing the limits of believability.


The second team,  led by the quickly maturing scrum half Hayden, came from behind to beat a strong and resurgent Quebec reserve team.

          

Mean while, the SAB first XV held off a late rally by Quebec to win 22-15. Andrew Jamieson underlined the absence of his father by scoring two sweet tries, both on dives into the corner. They were the kind of tries that his father could only ever dream about these days, tries being realized by the son. It's almost enough to make me want to have children.