By Darren Lum

Published Oct. 23 2018

There was plenty to cheer about during the last home game for the Red Hawks varsity girls’ rugby team. From the strong offensive charges to the goal line defensive stops. However the visiting Thunder of St. Mary’s came through scoring in the final minutes to win 22-17 during Kawartha Varsity Girls’ League rugby action on Tuesday Oct. 16.

They scored a try just before the second half and then again late in the game erasing the joy that was felt for much of the game for the Hawks and their supporters.

The Hawks had controlled and led much of the game as they jumped to a very early lead with a try from Senna Marra and then the two-point convert by Kailynn Sikma. The points came on their first drive of the game with a little more than a minute into the game. It’s likely the fastest score ever for the Hawks and possibly in the league.

The home side were leading 17 – 5 in the first half after Chloe Samson and then Kailynn Sikma added tries.

Coach Carson MacDonald said the effort was there but the early try probably hurt more than helped the team giving them too much confidence.

Despite the letdown MacDonald loves his team and really appreciates how far they have come since he started coaching the team several years ago. He thinks the team will use this loss to improve particularly on the defensive end. Thinking aloud he said the team has been great on defence in the first two games then really great on offence in the next two but then hasn’t been as good on either side of the ball since. He believes the team has the potential to put it all together.

The team has one game left against Cobourg before the post-season begins.

MacDonald believes the team is going to finish in the top four of the A schools for the playoffs.

At this point he is not certain about the format whether the fourth seed plays the top seed or first will play second and third plays fourth. He’s just happy for his team to have the opportunity to compete.