Tommies struggle to contain Hurricanes in 41-5 loss Sunday

FREDERICTON, NB – The Holland College Hurricanes handed the St. Thomas University Tommies their second loss of the Women's rugby season Sunday evening at the Grant-Harvey Turf Field. The Hurricanes came storming out of the gate to take an early lead and never slowed down, resulting in a 41-5 victory.  

Marissa Themeles scored two tries for the Hurricanes, while Madison Tingley, Kinslee Sorrie, Erin Robertson, Tori Hogan and Bella Walsh all scored a try of their own. Hogan converted on four of seven tries to give herself and her squad an extra eight points. Savanna Simon (Eel Ground First Nation, NB) was the lone scorer for the Tommies. 

The Hurricanes brought their energy from their season opener, where they defeated the Tommies just two short weeks ago, attacking the left side of the Tommies' defense right away. Holland worked the Tommies' line before swinging it from the middle to the left side quickly enough to catch STU's defense behind, giving Robertson an opening to make her move. Robertson caught wind from the 30-yard-line and left the green and gold uniforms behind her to open up the scoring affair. 

STU quickly countered, executing off a Hurricanes' dropped ball, as they fought their way into scoring territory. But the resilient Hurricanes wouldn't let up, quickly taking possesion again, attacking the left side. Hogan made her move through a small opening in the Tommies' line before fighting off a swarm of green and gold, bullying her way into the endzone and converting her own try. Holland led 12-0 and added more right away, this time from the middle. Sorrie, the speedy fly-half decided to take it in herself after STU's left-side defense tightened up.  

The Tommies showed no quit, ending the half with determination near the try-zone. A great run from Rachel MacDonald (Hanwell, NB) had lifted the Tommies' spirits, as they inched closer each ruck. Simon was able to finish off the Tommies' marvelous possession by bodying her way into the try-zone to put the Tommies on the board before the half ended. 

Holland would enter the half with a 24-5 lead. 

STU head coach Becca Baker said she and her coaching staff realized the exploit the Hurricanes had discovered, saying it was a quick fix for the Tommies after a substitution.  

"They got a great couple wings and an awesome [fullback]," Baker said. "They attacked the outside every time … we just talked as a coaching staff and made a quick fix. That sub was able to maintain security on that side of the field." 

Holland quickly shutdown STU's momentum as the second half started, as Themeles made a quick pivot to get the STU defender leaning, catching her off balance. Themeles sprinted in for one of her three tries on the evening. 

Holland would add 10 more points to secure a 41-5 victory, their second win to move to 2-0 this season. The Tommies are now 0-2. They'll visit the Mount Allison University Mounties on Oct. 1 in their next match, while the Hurricanes host the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Rams the same day.