SHERIDAN 22, MOHAWK 10

OAKVILLE, Ont. - They may have had modest goals entering their first season of existence, but the members of the Sheridan Bruins women's rugby team (1-3 OCAA) can lay claim to the club's first ever OCAA victory, scoring four tries in a 22-10 triumph over Mohawk.

"It was great to have a first win in our very first season," co-head coach Mike Curran said. "Out of the gates [this year] I thought we played really well against Seneca - we had two really, tight games with them. But it's good to get a first win in the first year and it's as a result of doing things that we've been doing well."

Sheridan was first to find the scoreboard, when in the 16th minute Kelly Skidmore advanced the ball to within three yards of the Mohawk goal line and was able to pass it off to Ashley Hill who gave the home side a 5-0 lead.

After receiving the ensuing kick, the Double-Blue advanced the ball deep into Mohawk territory once again and actually crossed the goal line, but had the ball taken away before it could be touched down.

What followed was a series of scrums and line outs with Mohawk trying desperately to get a reprieve from the Sheridan pressure and the Lady Bruins trying to add to their total.

Following a lost line-out Sheridan was able to force a turnover, after which the ball was quickly swung around to Courtney Ross, who touched it down over the try line on the right wing.

Late in the first half it was a similar scenario - with Sheridan crossing the goal line but having it stolen away - however they would end up winning a scrum from the Mohawk five-metre line and Nicole Brown was then able to score the team's third try, making it 15-0 at the half.

In the 52nd minute Ross added her second try of the game and Hill kicked the convert to give the Double-Blue a 22-0 advantage.

Despite the scoreline and the slowly evaporating game clock, Mohawk refused to give up and ended up scoring a pair of tries, one of which came just before the final whistle.

The Lady Bruins now have 10 days before their next contest - a trip to Conestoga on October 14 - and Curran says the team's approach in that period will be virtually the same as it has been all year.

"There's not going to be much different," he said. "We still have to focus on getting a lot of the little things - the basic skills, understanding of the game. Our plan for this year was just to set a foundation for next year and the year after. So any wins are bonuses but we have bigger goals going forward."

Source: Sheridan I.T.