Bomber Women Roll to Ruggerfest Finals

Saturday, April 01, 2006

 
Bombers Outpace Wash U.
Eagle flyhalf Mari Therrien scored the first try of the tournament just two minutes into action, setting the stage for day that would showcase blistering Bomber pace. Lindsay Wieczorek, Katie Giljum and Ann Marie Russell made good use of Bomber overloads to sprint in for a try a piece before Therrien capped the first half action by breaking several tackles to dot down between the posts. Halftime score 29-0.

The Bomber forwards picked up the pace in the second half crashing through tackle after tackle following up with close support in the rucks. Michelle Bella was the first beneficiary of the forward's good platform as the shifty stepping Canadian scored back to back tries to open the second half scoring. Following some good close quarter work by her forward mates, Allison "Diesel" Whitaker sprinted past the Wash U backs for the first try by the Bomber forwards. Michelle Stephen would notch the second try by the forwards followed moments later by The Diesel's second try of the day. Michelle Bella and Mari Terrien would finish with hat tricks by sprinting in the next two tries. The ageless Jen Kelley, robbed of try in her first rugby match, wouldn't be denied in her second as she rounded out the Bomber scoring for the match; finishing with a final tally of 73-0 in a fifty minute match.

Bombers Take it to Truman
Mari Therrien once again opened the Bomber scoring, notching her first of four tries in the first half after only 5 minutes of action. Michelle Bella scampered in for 5 points before Therrien unleashed a three try onslaught of her own. Therrien's four tries in the half were set-up by some text pick and jam movements by No. 8 Dre West, locks Diana Rau and Jen Kelley, and hooker Michelle Stephen. The charging runners were followed with good close support by Ann McDonald, Beth Mulligan, Erin Herwig and the speedy flanker Allison Whitaker. Fullback Gillian Blackwell shunted the Truman attempts at relieving the pressure with some devastating countering runs characterized by some thumping hits that are still echoing in Forest Park. Jen Kelley followed up a driving maul and rewarded her fellow forwards by dotting down on their behalf for a 24-0 halftime lead.

Michelle Stephen got the Bomber forwards rolling again with tackle breaking run of over 40 meters just 90 seconds into the second half. Not one to miss out on a rout, second 5/8 Ann Marie Russell dashed in for a try before then setting her center ¾ Lindsay Wieczorek loose for two of her own. Set free on the wing, Michelle Bella jinked her way through several would be defenders going untouched for her second try of the match before Lindsay Wieczorek would get her hat trick try of day. Anne Marie Russell would convert her try just before time expired to finish the Bomber scoring out at an amazing 79-0 tally in only 50 minutes.

Most notable in this match was the continuing improvement of the young Bomber forwards who were strong around the rucks and gained strength as the match went on. Michelle Stephen, Beth Mulligan and Dre West poached numerous balls and were at nearly every breakdown. Dre West led many moves with slicing runs that were carried forward by Diana Rau and Jen Kelley. Erin Clark realized her running potential and began "asking the question" of numerous defenders before being tackled. Erin Herwig, Michelle Stephen and Beth Mulligan "kept the window slammed shut" with close support of their mates at the breakdown. Ann MacDonald and Allison Whitaker had high tackle counts and applied the pressure that led to numerous turnovers by their opposite numbers. Katie "Slim" Giljum was worth more than her weight in gold with her quick step and great hands in the lineout. Gillian Blackwell positioned herself perfectly and was punishing in attack and defense from her fullback position.

Final against the Sabres
A bit overwhelmed by playing in their first tournament ever, the Bomber Women will offer no excuses as their usual attacking game was disrupted by an older, vastly more experienced and defensive squad. For the first time the Bombers felt pressure on both offense and defense. We learned allot from this match. Defense and fitness in today's rugby wins games. Our overall squads performance was good, considering the average experience level between the two sides. Standout performances were noted by fullback Gillian Blackwell who tackled with passion and commitment time and again. Flankers Anne McDonald and Allison "Diesel" Whitaker as well as locks Diana Rau and Jen Kelley played well beyond their rookie experience levels.

What a great opportunity we have been given and now understand what we need to do to improve. Our next meeting with teams of that caliber will have a different outcome. Coach Gary Lambert noted: We kept our composure under tough conditions, unlike the opposition's sidelines. From a coaches standpoint "It's all good."

The Bomber women would like to thank Old Boys John Wolf, Sterling Hayden and John Kyle for the support in addition to all the other current Bomber players who came out to back their women before going on the knock off KCRFC and Golden Gate later in the evening.