CAIS Bronze

5 May 2013Lauren A, Allard '13

From April 19-21, the Girls’ Rugby team took on four other independent schools at the Canadian Association of Independent Schools Tournament hosted at Shawnigan Lake School.

On Friday we played Country Day School from Toronto. This game started off poorly and Brentwood never really focused or pressured the ball inefficiently. Ball movement did not flow, but there were many individual efforts. The forwards kept control, which resulted in Nambi M and Ciel AB scoring after running hard with the ball. Georgia scored a beautiful last try by blocking a kick from a line-out which allowed her to run hard and get through the gap. Brentwood finished the game with a solid 15-0 win.  After that game, the girls had some rest time to eat and regain their energy.

In the afternoon, we played the development team of Carson Graham SS from Vancouver, which was a much harder-fought game. This match proved Brentwood to be a cohesive team with self-confidence. Avi S had an outstanding game scoring four tries and four conversions. This showed our backs’ pace and our forwards determination.

On Saturday the girls arrived ready for the tougher games ahead. Stanstead College from Quebec was our first opponent and gave us another opportunity to show our grit. The forwards showed much determination and quickly gained control allowing Mikayla DJ to run with authority from the back of the scrum. Supporting play was much better this game, which gave the girls more chances to move the ball and keep possession. Shannyn M scored a tremendous try after supporting Mikayla who darted right while Shannyn took on the ball with pace stepping past their line of defense and scoring under the posts.

Most of the game was played by getting the ball wide, but Lauren A also sold a dummy and scored through the posts. This game was our third win and placed us first in Pool A. This position gave us the opportunity to play Bishops from Quebec in the tough semi-final game.

The game remained close with possession and defense; neither teams let their guard down. The forwards did a great job controlling set pieces but never ran the ball with much continuity. On the other hand, the Bishop’s tackling was accurate and their inside backs ran with much determination. The scoreboard went back and forth testing each team’s strength, agility, and fitness.

Unfortunately, Bishops scored the last try in the corner late in the second half giving them a 17-12 win. This loss was tremendously tough on our team as we were determined to make it in the final against Shawnigan.

On Sunday morning, the weather held out and the sun shone. Again we faced Country Day School who came out with more determination than before. The forwards again took control of the sets, even when Jenn L took a hit to her ribs and had to be subbed off. Vanessa S confidently took her sport and performed with determination. Rucking was strong which allowed us to get possession often and move the ball well. Karly D scored two phenomenal tries by taking the ball with extreme pace. Nambi M also scored twice from hard running and extreme power. Ciel AB penetrated through their defense and caught many gaps allowing her to gain some ground. The final score was 36-5, which gave us the Bronze medal.

This tournament was a real opportunity for the team to show their motivation and determination, and to give it their all and come out with Bronze.

Lauren A, Captain, Allard ‘13