The Foothills Falcons put an exclamation mark on a historic zone championship.
The Foothills Falcons put an exclamation mark on a historic zone championship.
Foothills scored 17 second-half points to outlast the rival Holy Trinity Academy Knights 22-0 to claim its first South Central Zone senior girls banner Thursday at the Calgary Rugby Park.
“We've worked really hard for three years to get this and it just feels outstanding,” said Falcons senior Paige Lowry. “It's a great accomplishment for all of us to receive, to get the banner and hold it.”
Defence paved the way for the celebrations.
“We were always matched up with them and making sure they didn't have any major overlaps,” said Falcons No. 8 Annaliese Curtis. “Communication was really good this game, that made a big difference. Not shying away from tackles and rucking was really good.”
Using outside containment Foothills managed to keep the Knights athleticism in the backs in check, forcing the game to the middle of the pitch.
“We had a plan to play it tight, contain their dangerous players,” said Falcons coach Chris Isherwood. “Dominate them, wear them down and then play our game after that.”
An even first-half saw Foothills come away with a 5-0 advantage on a try from back Claire Shirakawa.
Some forward thinking then got the Falcons well in front in the second half.
First, Prop Eden McCarthy muscled her way into the try zone from 10 yards out off a penalty. Curtis — the dominant figure in the tilt from the No. 8 position — bulldozed in for a pair of trys, the latter on a 50 yard scamper to put the result out of reach.
“This game we truly did come together as a family,” McCarthy said. “All of our commitment has really paid off and I'm really proud of all of our girls.”
The second place Knights don't need binoculars to gaze upon an extremely bright future with a number of key contributors in the Grade 10 and 11 ranks.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game. These girls have all played with each other and against each other,” said Knights coach Katie Marchant. “Kudos to the Comp. Their defence was great, they shut our backs down and played hard. They deserved it.
“We have a young team and going forward it's bright skies, it's very positive.”
The loss marks the first time in five years HTA won't be competing at provincials.
Prior to this season the Knights had a decade long winning streak over their cross-town rivals.
“This is the first time the girls have gone onto provincial rugby,” said Falcons coach Jeff Mason. “It's a huge accomplishment for this group of Grade 12s who have been with the program for three years and are the driving force in change. The Grade 11s have taken that challenge on and supported it and our Grade 10s, an amazing group of athletes who are up and coming.
“Our program is where Chris and I wanted it to be.”
Foothills will look to add to its already historic march in its first foray at provincials.
The Tier II championships run June 9-10 in Strathmore.
“I really just want to leave a legacy for the girls and have something for them to look up to,” said Curtis. “We've never had anything to look up to, we've never won this. I want to leave behind something for them to strive for the next year.”
Earlier in the afternoon in senior boys rugby action the Knights took out the Falcons by a 27-17 count in the South Central Zone championship.
Both teams are headed to provincials in Edmonton.
For more information go to asaa.ca/championships
