Rugby sevens sweeps on seniors day
By: Nina Kersnik
Humber Athletics Communications
BRAMPTON – Women's rugby (7-2, 2nd OCAA) got off to a strong start in day two of the 7's tournament on Sunday at Brampton Rugby Club with two wins. Third-year standout Meghan Aucoin scored two tries and three conversions through today's matches.
Today's wins were just one of the day's highlights. Humber rugby sevens also continued their long-standing tradition of honouring its seniors in their final home game. The Hawks acknowledged Alanna Heeg, Alison Johdan-Smiley, Mara De Melo, and Amy Johnson for their numerous contributions to the program.
Game one (Humber 30, St. Lawrence 0)
In their second last home fixture of the season, Hawks fans welcomed the ladies for another day at Brampton Rugby Club, for a matchup against the St. Lawrence Surge. The Surge are 1-8 and rank last in the conference, after yesterday's 15-14 loss against the Seneca Sting.
Right from kick-off Humber came in red-hot, gaining possession to move up the field slowly. St. Lawrence, on the other hand, made many attempts to hold them back, with a couple of jersey pulls, but couldn't prevent the Hawks from propelling forward. With two backward passes, first-year player Judi Faour would hand it to Alanna Heeg for a third, to give Humber the advantage. This is Heeg's first of the season for the Hawks.
Following a restart from halfway, Humber took possession once more, as three passes and a fumble on the fourth would bring the Hawks closer to the try line. Humber would continue that momentum, following a strong scrum engagement in the Surge's territory. Rookie Aniya Blackman-Moncrieffe swerved around the left side of the scrum, to ground the Hawks' second try. With this try, Blackman-Moncrieffe tallies to 22 points total, with four tries and a single conversion in 11 games.
At the break the Hawks would have a comfortable lead of 10-0, over the Surge.
Into the second, Humber worked quickly, bringing the ball all the way up the field with multiple phases. Hawks' senior player Alison Johdan-Smiley ran past the defenders to score Humber's third try of the match less than a minute in, to put the Hawks up by 15.
In the 9th minute, a box kick at midfield would allow St. Lawrence to have possession for a moment. But Humber spread out to pin the Surge back into their own end with a few physical tackles toward centerfield. Eventually, the Hawks went out wide to find space on the wing. This allowed Humber's first-year hook Sophia Regts to receive the ball, and out run her opponents to dive over the try line. From then on it was clear that St. Lawrence was uncapable of stopping the Hawks, as a lineout would give the home team possession once again.
The ball would fly up and over, directly into the hands of first-year prop Ava Buda. The Morriston native would fly down the sideline to record a fifth try for the Hawks.
As time wound down, a kick into the Surge's defensive end would allow Humber to regain possession from St. Lawrence after a few tackles. Hawks' second-year winger Tiannah Baptiste ripped the ball from the defenders' hands to make her way into the right side of the zone. Baptiste would score Humber's sixth and final try, marking her first of the season.
The final whistle would go as the Hawks closed out the first match of the day with a commanding 30-0 win against the St. Lawrence Surge.
Game two (Humber 36, Algonquin 0)
Determined to propel forward and end the day with two wins, Humber began with a strong, engaging scrum. Two throws from the outside would push play into the Algonquin Wolves' territory, as Meghan Aucoin sprinted to the try zone for a touchdown under the posts. She also converted the play to put the Hawks up by seven only a minute into the first half.
Moments later a grubber kick from midfield would set up a lineout for the Wolves, but Humber would pin them back into their own end with a scrum. Now yards away from the try line, the Hawks made several passes before throwing it to second-year Megan Payne to ground the second try. The conversion was missed to keep the score 12-0.
Determined to stay in the fight, Algonquin earned possession and slowly made their way out of their zone. However, after several physical takedowns, Humber would regain possession to push for another offensive drive. Two passes from the middle would give Khyre Jackson space up the left side to outrun the already exhausted Wolves and score a third try.
Meghan Aucoin would contribute once more for the conversion, and after a few fumbled tosses, the Hawks would exit the half up by 19.
Into the second, Algonquin tried to gain control but gave possession away with a direct bounce pass to Humber's Tiannah Baptiste. She would join forces with Aucoin to send her soaring for Humber's fourth consecutive try. This is the second try and third conversion of the day for Aucoin.
The Wolves tried to push for an attack for some points, but a fumble allowed Meghan Aucoin to collect the rock before throwing it to Meghan Payne for the try. This play would put Humber up by another five points.
As time wound down, the Hawks would drive forward for another attack, as fourth-year Amy Johnson was tackled into the try zone for Humber's sixth and final tally. The Mississauga native totalled six tries after today's game, resulting in 30 points altogether.
Humber would close out their last home fixture of the season with an assertive 36-0 win over the Algonquin Wolves.
Megan Payne, who put Humber up by two tries, was named Player of the Game.
Humber Highlights
- Meghan Aucoin has 10 tries and 12 conversions after today's matchups.
- Megan Payne, set a new career high with three tries so far this season.
What's Next?
Humber will face the Fleming Pheonix (2-9, 7th OCAA), Conestoga Condors (8-3, 3rd OCAA) and Seneca Sting (5-6, 4th OCAA) in Peterborough on Oct. 18. The games start at 10:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. respectively.
