UCC Lancers Win Kent Rugby Title
UCC and Wallaceburg battle in a scrum during the 2014 Kent final – Photo by Jocelyn McLaughlin
For much of the Lancers roster, the Kent title was a first, as the Blenheim Bobcats have held the Kent title the past three seasons.
“It felt amazing to finally win Kent,” said Bailey Walker, a fourth year Lancers rugby member who has starred for UCC all season. “I’ve been playing for four years now and to finally win it is a huge accomplishment for this entire team,” added the Thamesville product. “The team played amazing today, we stuck to our game plan and just tried incorporating everything we’ve been practicing all season, I’m so proud of them all and couldn’t ask for a better team.”
Shelby Heyink, Brooke Grant, Hannah Cartier, Courtney McAlorum, and Paige Ayres scored tries for the UCC Lancers in the win, who went undefeated in Kent competition this season, and also won an early season tournament at Western University.
Bailey Walker, Anna Dzieciol, and Summer Eastcott kicked converts for the remainder of the Lancers’ points.
Despite the lopsided win, the Lancers were complimentary of their Wallaceburg opponents.
“Playing Wallaceburg was a tough battle, they held up their own,” said Summer Eastcott of the UCC Lancers, “but the hard work throughout the season surely paid off. To win Kent for rugby felt unreal, the bond not only with our team but within the rugby community is incredible.”
“Wallaceburg played extremeley well. It was tough to score,” said UCC head coach Scott Morkin. “Wallaceburg has some tough runners.”
The Kent final appearance was Wallaceburg’s first since rejoining the Kent loop last season.
With CKSS now also back in the league, Morkin sees this year’s Kent final as a positive sign for the sport locally.
“The league is getting better. Blenheim has some great young players, and a bright future,” says Morkin. “Girls rugby has a future in Chatham Kent. It is a great opportunity for girls to participate in something new,” he continued, adding his own squad will also be a team to watch in the future. “UCC will be strong for the next two years, at least, due to interest in the sport.”
UCC will not just be a team to watch next year, but also in the coming weeks as they now advance to SWOSSAA, vying for a chance to participate in OFSAA.