In a thrilling title match at McAdam Park last Friday, the Crew regained the Cowichan Women’s Football League championship.
A year after losing the final to the Ravens, the Crew were back in top form for the 2017 banner game, and pulled away from the Blue Steel Brew after a close first half to eventually prevail 44-18.
Quarterback Jackie Harrison made pinpoint passes all night, connecting with Janelle Mould for touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters as well as a convert in the fourth, and several other targets for big gains.
“We came into the final knowing that we were putting out a really strong defence,” Mould said. “Having a few players back from injury, we could put some more speed inside. We were confident that we could keep BSB’s strong offence contained.”
Rookie rusher Nenagh McCulloch was a key component of the Crew’s defence, and finished the night with one sack.
On offence, Jessica Lines-Wikkerink had two touchdowns, Marilou Sullivan and Kerynne Bain had one each, and Jennie Hittinger contributed a convert.
“Jackie runs the offence and makes great play calls and executes consistently,” Mould said. “Kerynne has had an amazing season, and her height on offence was unstoppable [in the final]. It’s been a great season and the parity in the league is unlike any other season. To win the league finals we had to be the best team on that night.”
Harrison had similar thoughts.
“It felt like a great game,” she said. “Everything seemed to gel together that night.”
Replying for BSB, Heidi Haslam had two touchdowns and Monni Savory added one.
Just two days earlier, BSB got past the defending CWFL champion Ravens 39-18 in the semifinal.
Haslam scored twice, while Mila Main, Kara Olson, Michelle Nederlof and Jessica Knowles had one touchdown apiece. Savory added two converts, and Knowles and Main had one apiece, while Kirbee Crisp had a sack.
Jamie Russell had a pair of touchdowns for the Ravens and Rikki Wylie scored once. Becki Paterson added a sack.
Five of the six CWFL teams, including the Crew and BSB will be taking part in Sun Bowl XXXII at McAdam and Rotary parks this Saturday and Sunday.