Cowichan's senior women's team fell short in their attempt to defend the provincial First Division championship at Brockton Oval last Saturday, falling 27-17 to United.
Cowichan had defeated United at the end of the regular season, but the squad that took the field last weekend bore little resemblance to that one.
"The United team that stepped onto the field at the B.C. finals was not the same team we played three weeks ago," Cowichan captain Sherry Spence said. "But with that being said, Cowichan was ready to play a hard game." Both teams played solid, hard-hitting defence, but Cowichan was set back by a pair of game-changing calls from the referee. Laura Russell and Michelle Moore scored tries, however, and Moore added a convert, and the teams ended the first half tied at 12-12.
Russell added another try in the second half, but United replied with three, and Cowichan had to concede the provincial title.
"When the final whistle blew, we had lost the game, but we couldn't be upset with the performance that we displayed," Spence said. "United is a great team, and you can't take that away from them. If the two calls from the referee would have went our way, would it have made a difference? I don't know, But either way, that's the way it goes."
Losing the title gives Cowichan something to work toward next season.
"There is room for improvement for next year," Spence said. "United knew our strengths and marked them. they had a strong forward pack that made for tough scrums."