When Cowichan’s senior women’s rugby team beat Burnaby Lake 33-12 last Saturday, it wasn’t just sweet revenge for a 47-0 loss to the same team a week earlier. It was also, according to former Cowichan Rugby Football Club president John James, the most significant win by any home team at Piggy Park in several years.
The Cowichan women’s side has returned to the B.C. Premier League this season, and after a shorthanded squad lost the season opener at Burnaby, they showed their true form in the win last weekend.
“The team that started the game this past weekend was a premier team,” Cowichan captain Sherry Spence said. “It’s very exciting to get our first win at the elite level.”
It wasn’t easy, but Cowichan had the personnel to beat Burnaby this time around.
“Burnaby had a very strong scrum; the forwards had to really dig in so the ball could get out,” Spence said. “Our defence at the try line was amazing. Every single person put their body on the line.”
Jenna Bugden scored two tries, while Laura Russell, Brittney Brown and Carolyn Gudmundseth had one each. Michelle Moore kicked four conversions.
Russell was picked as Player of the Game by the BC Rugby Union and named forward of the game by the Burnaby players, who selected Bugden as back of the game.
Everyone who got on the field contributed to the victory.
“The players that subbed on stepped up huge to keep us in the game,” Spence said. “It’s such an awesome feeling knowing there’s talented players on the bench.”
The team will be back in action at home this Saturday, hosting Westshore at 11:30 a.m.