The UBC women's rugby team came away with a commanding victory over the University of Alberta Pandas at the UBC Gerald McGavin Rugby Centre on Sunday afternoon. Eight T-Birds scored and Adia Pai kicked six tries in a game that ended with a stunning score of 85-7.
The Thunderbirds started the first half at full speed, with Olivia Salabra scoring the first try after a great run from lock Teya Ashworth. The Pies then got the momentum going with their first try of the match in the seventh minute and another try on a solo dash seven minutes later. Over the next 10 minutes, the Pies scored three more times for the T-Birds, with Savannah Bauder scoring the pinpoint conversion.
Back-rower Mya Koleva then scored the Birds' final point in the 38th minute to end the first half up 47-0.
The Thunderbirds continued to put pressure on the Pandas in the second half, with hooker Kiki Idowu scoring in the 43rd minute after some resistance in front of Alberta's goal.
Backrower Jesse Knaggs and hooker Maddie Slan then scored the first tries of the game in the 51st and 54th minutes respectively, before Salabra slipped through the defence to score her second try of the match 12 minutes later.
The Pandas fought hard in the second half and their efforts were rewarded with a penalty try in the 70th minute.
In the final minutes of the match, the Thunderbirds scored tries through centre Delaney Woods in the 72nd minute and Pye in the 78th minute. Flyhalf Brooklyn Rodham scored five conversions in the second half of the match.
Thunderbirds head coach Dean Marten was pleased with his team's performance on the field.
“I think we played a little bit as a team today,” he said. “The big thing is, 'Don't worry about the scoreboard, just worry about the process and play together as a team.' So that's what I'm most happy about.”
That being said, he believes the team has room to improve.
“[In the last game]”We lost the ball 21 times, which is too many. This week we got it down to five, which is a big difference. But again, we have to keep cutting those numbers.”
The Thunderbirds next play at home against the University of Calgary Dinos on September 26th at 4:30 pm.
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