Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Knowing his team would be hard pressed to match the visiting KCVI Blues in terms of rugby talent in Tuesday’s KASSAA semifinal, NDSS Golden Hawks girls coach Sean Dunleavy challenged his players not to be outworked.
The result was a 49-0 defeat at the hands of the Blues, but the young Golden Hawks team battled tough until the final whistle.
KCVI, who entered the game 5-0 on the season, set the pace of the game early against the 3-2 Hawks. Before the game was even 10 minutes old, the Blues had posted a pair of tries.
NDSS had a chance to respond before the game got too far out of hand, getting the ball to within 30 yards of the try line before committing a knock-on. The Blues took control on the ensuing ruck, breaking free of the NDSS defense to run the 70 yard distance for a deflating try.
Napanee got within striking distance of a try on a few occasions in the latter stages of the game but each time their progress was halted with a turn over or steal that the Blues were able to turn into a long try.
The loss was a rather stark contrast for the Hawks, who were KASSAA champions in 2017 and finished as silver medalists last year against the La Salle Black Knights. The 2019 edition of the Hawks was a young one however, with 27 girls in Grade 9 or 10.
“The nice thing about our league is some of the teams that have been on the outside the last few years are seeing the benefit of excellent coaching at the other schools and the club programs that we have are really starting to show,” said Dunleavy. “That KC team is teeming with players that have played club or provincially with Ontario.”
Despite the semifinal loss, the season isn’t over just yet for the Hawks. They’ll have a chance to play the Regi Panthers on Friday afternoon at Queen’s University Nixon Field in the KASSAA bowl game.
NDSS’ junior boys rugby team took part in their KASSAA semifinals yesterday, though results weren’t known at press time. Napanee was scheduled to take on La Salle at Nixon Field.