Strong Second Half Pushes REDS Over Tommies
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS women's rugby team ground out a 22-7 victory over the St. Thomas University Tommies in the 2nd annual Mary Cronin Memorial Game, Sunday afternoon at College Field.
Players on both sides had the number 23 written on their legs in honor of Cronin, the former STU soccer player and UNB rugby player who passed away in the spring of 2022.
The Tommies opened with a sustained amount of pressure in UNB’s end.
The REDS held off the first few waves of attack before Madelyn Walsh broke through and pushed down the left side for the game's opening try.
UNB took no time responding, taking possession off the ensuing kickoff, completing a great series of passes before Ella Myers punched in the try to put her side on the board.
“We got our energy back up after giving up the first try, re-focused on what we had gone over in practice and that helped us out,” said Myers.
UNB missed the following kick for the extra two points, so STU remained ahead, 7-5.
STU would then storm down the field on the next possession, but the REDS would hold strong close to their own line and, after multiple attempts, regained possession to advance back over half.
The REDS would be stopped well short, and STU almost countered with another strong run from Walsh, but the score would hold until half-time.
UNB would quickly steal possession early in the second half and kept their foot on the gas, keeping the Tommies well out of their end for the remainder of the game.
“We communicated more, made sure we were all coming up together on the line, got lower on our tackles, and made sure our support was good,” said Myers on the REDS half-time adjustments.
Tries from Cassie Innis, Lilly Innis and Ellie Cross were the result, putting 15 points on the board for the REDS who took the match 22-7.
UNB concludes their regular season on Saturday when they host Holland College, at College Field, at 1:00pm.
RECAP BY: Jonathon James/ for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Lauren Tidd/for UNB Athletics