Volume CXXXIII, Number 3 September 26, 2003 f

Bear ruggers attack Mules on the pitch
LINDSAY MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

Players, feeling confident and strong, spend some extra time on the fields in order to be ready for the next game against Amherst . (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient)

In their first league game of the season, the Women's Rugby team showed tremendous potential in two well-played performances by the A-side and B-side squads against Colby last week. In the first game of the day, the A-side team tied 12-12. Bowdoin outplayed the Mules the entire first half, and lead the game 7-0 by half time.

The forward pack came together to win the majority of the rucks and scrums and set the attacking tone. The back three, Emily Angel '04, Courtney "Court-o" Reilly '04, and Jocelyn "Jfo" Foulke '05 ran quick lines and well positioned support, which resulted in Angel's try (with a completed conversion kick by Whitney Alexander '04). Also supplying key defensive pressure on her scrum-half opponent, Lindsay "LinziMo" Morris '04 spoiled several Colby offensive efforts.

Colby came back with 15 minutes to go in the second half. In a controversial play, the Mules were awarded a try when Bowdoin believed they had grounded the ball in the try-zone themselves, in a strategic move to regain possession. Reilly scored a second try for the Bears, but Colby came back with a final try and conversion kick in the last minute to tie up the game. Though disappointed with the momentum Colby gained in the second half, Bowdoin was pleased with the game. Coaches and players alike felt the team united to show its capabilities for the rest of the season.

In the B-side match, Bowdoin won 29-5. Under the leadership of veterans, scrum half Melissa Hayden '05, back Marie Ostrowski '05, and forward Leslie Wittenbraker '06, the team's ten rookies played a tough defensive game with well executed tackles from forwards and backs alike. Wittenbraker and fly half, Margaret "Muny" Munford '07 both scored in the first half, with one successful conversion kick by "Muny." Leading the second half 12-5, Bowdoin maintained the pressure and forward Claudia Marroquin '06 scored once and Ostrowski scored twice. B-side won the game 29-5.

Coaches Mary Beth and Bob Matthews were pleased with the performance against Colby and are hopeful about the remainder of the season. This weekend, the ruggers face a tough match against University of New Hampshire who tied Bates last weekend 12-12. With an emphasis on fitness and improved handling and decision making, the team is practicing in anticipation of the game. The women will be playing at home at 1 pm this Saturday.

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