Scott spectacular but Gaiters come up short in opener
Fabulous freshman Erika Scott electrified a crowd of 500 faithful fans in the Bishop’s Gaiters women’s rugby season opener on Wednesday night at Coulter Field on the Bishop’s University campus. Scott scored three tries in her first game in purple and white but unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Sherbrooke Vert et Or topped the hosts 42-29.
Bishop’s started the 2015 campaign on a mission. Captain Andi Smith (Martinville, Que.) scored the first points of the season just over three minutes into the contest. Sherbrooke responded before Scott (Dewittville, Que.) showed her first glimpse of brilliance. She scored a try and put the Gaiters back on top. Emily Norris (Ogden, Que.) kicked through the convert and Bishops, who scored just 34 total points a year ago, held a 12-5 advantage 16 minutes into the game.
Veteran Jenny Davidson (Georgeville, Que.) jumped into the festivities. She scored her first try as a Gaiter and extended the Bishop’s advantage to 17-10. Sherbrooke scored late in the first half then rattled off three quick tries as the second half opened to grab a 25-17 advantage and stun the 500 spectators in attendance.
Another Vert et Or score at the 60-minute mark seemingly put the game out of reach.
Scott refused to throw in the towel and took the Gaiters on her back. She responded to the Sherbrooke try with a spectacular run of her own. She left multiple green and gold shirts in her dust as she raced in for her second try of the night and cut the lead to 30-22. Sherbrooke responded once again and held a 37-22 advantage with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Scott’s final try of the night was a beauty as she showed off her superior conditioning and breakaway speed. After caching the ball around her own 20 metre line she broke away going coast-to-coast and finishing off her hat-trick of scores in style. Norris was successful on the convert and cut the Sherbrooke lead to just eight. Unfortunately for the home squad it was as close as they got and a last minute Vert et Or try made the final 42-29.
“It’s the first time we’ve put up five tries in a game in five years,” said a disappointed but optimistic Gaiters head coach Adam Spirk. “We are a very young team; there is hope for the future. Erika (Scott) was fantastic and congrats to Jenny (Davidson) on her first try as a Gaiter.”
For their part the Gaiters won’t have long to rest after the tough season opener. They are back in action on Labour Day Monday, Sept. 7 on Coulter Field at 2 p.m. The Montreal Carabins are in town to open their season. The game will be live online at www.gaiters.ca/webcast.
Watch Scott’s pre-season comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgWBJ6kYG28
