The Belmont Bulldogs are at the very start of their senior girls rugby sevens city league schedule, but the squad is already headed to provincial championships, happening tomorrow and Saturday (April 21-22) at the University of British Columbia.
ItB次元官网网址檚 not as if the Bulldogs have been idle, theyB次元官网网址檝e already played in two tournaments. They finished second at the West Shore tournament and third at the recent Islands, where a narrow 12-10 loss to eventual champion Shawnigan was followed by a 39-5 drubbing of Cowichan in the third/fourth place match.
Belmont head coach Charlotte Haley likes how her team is shaping up ahead of provincials.
B次元官网网址淭he girls have been training for awhile so weB次元官网网址檙e well prepared training wise,B次元官网网址� she said Thursday before departing with the team for the mainland. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very excited about this tournament. Last year we came ninth, but this year we should be well into the top eight. WeB次元官网网址檙e a dark horse, but I think we might surprise some people.B次元官网网址�
As girls rugby has grown on the West Shore, so has the Bulldogs program. BelmontB次元官网网址檚 sevens roster is anchored by standouts Denise Roy (fullback/wing), who is with Rugby CanadaB次元官网网址檚 under-18 national program, and B.C. team players Maggie MacKinnon (fly half) and Zoe Williams (prop).
Not only is there a solid contingent from last yearB次元官网网址檚 team playing again. And most of the players signed up for the rugby phys-ed class for this term and have been practising regularly with the boys.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e bringing 16 players this time,B次元官网网址� Haley said of the provincial roster. B次元官网网址淟ast year our bench was very short, but this time we have a number of players who can come in and bring an impact to the game in the second half.B次元官网网址�
The Bulldogs play Abbotsford, Houston and Chatelech secondary on Friday, the results of which will determine their placing in the playoff round Saturday.
The sevens provincials are held early due to the scheduling of the 15s B.C. championships in June.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
