Volume CXXXIII, Number 5 October 10, 2003 f

Intensity of Bobcats catches Bears off guard
LINDSAY MORRIS
STAFF WRITER

A couple of varsity ruggers take the field and practice for this week's game against Plymouth State. The game is on Saturday beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Farley Fields. (Hans Law, Bowdoin Orient)

In a disappointing match last Saturday, Bowdoin Women's Rugby A-side lost to Bates by a score of 12-10. The ruggers dominated the first half in ball posession by the forward pack and scored the first try on a hard run by back Courtney Reilly '04. However, the problems in defensive alignment were too great to hold Bates, as they scored a try in the last seconds of the half. At this point, neither team had converted a kick and the game was tied 5-5.

Early in the second half, Bates intercepted a pass on a fullback play and scored both the try and conversion kick. In the final 15 minutes, back Lynette Batt '04 ran in Bowdoin's second try, but the kick was unconverted. The Bears were not able to score again in the few remaining minutes.

Forward Liz Swedock '04 explained the general feeling about the performance: "We played our game well, but Bates was able to capitalize on a few of our mistakes for breakaways."

Bowdoin fought hard, in what the referee called one of the best games she's seen in college women's rugby in a long time, but the team did not have the intensity to clench the win this week.

In the B-side game, Bowdoin again united to crush their opponents, 20-0. After a yearlong absence from the sport due to a knee injury, scrum half Erica Osterman '06 gave a tremendous performance in her first game back by scoring two tries and providing strong direction on the field.

The team was under the leadership of fullback Kelly Orr '06 and Alissa Cordner '04, and had the support of the forward pack's fearless players: Aubrey Brick '05 and Claudia Marroquin '04. First-year backs Kalyn Bickerman and Munny Munford also scored tries. The rookies continue to show great potential.

This Saturday the women will be playing Babson College, here at Bowdoin; bring the family out on the pitch at 1:00 p.m. for a great match.

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