WRUG QF2 – Gryphons advance to semifinals with convincing win over X-Women

A pair of tries by Kennedy Feasby led the No. 4-seeded Guelph Gryphons as they dropped the StFX X-Women, 29-14, during the second quarterfinal of the 2023 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship in Quebec City, Wednesday afternoon.

The Gryphons got on the board quickly at the start of the game as Feasby scored the game's first try in the third minute. Several minutes later, Brianna Martey and Natalie Armatage each scored a try to put Guelph up 17-0 after just a quarter of an hour.

The X-Women took time to get into the game and impose their style of play. Before the end of the first half, Emma MacDougall broke the ice for StFX with a try, as the X-Women trailed 17-7 at halftime.

At the start of the second half, Feasby's second try of the game put the Gryphons up by 15. The X-Women fought back and Akwaima Akpan, the AUS rookie of the year, scored a try in the 53rd minute to cut the gap to eight points. At the end of the regulation 70 minutes, Madelyn Ryan added the final five points of the contest.

Feasby was named the player of the game for Guelph, while scrum half Katie Murphy won similar honours for the X-Women.

StFX will play No. 1-seeded Ottawa on Friday in the first consolation game, set for 1 p.m.Guelph will take on No. 8 Victoria in Friday's first championship semifinal at 5 pm.

Players of the Game

• St-FX – #9 Katie Murphy
• Guelph – #7 Kennedy Feasby

GAME SUMMARY

Guelph 29 - StFX 14

First half

• GUE – Try - Kennedy Feasby Guelph – 3rd (5-0)
• GUE – Try - Brianna Martey (conversion Grace Jacklyn)  11th (12-0)
• GUE – Try - Natalie Armatage – 15th (17-0)
• STFX – Try - Emma MacDougall (conversion Katie Murphy) – 28th (17-7) 

Second half

• GUE – Try – Kennedy Feasby – 42th (22-7)
• STFX – Try – Akwaima Akpan (conversion Katie Murphy) - 53th(22-14)
• GUE – Try – Madelyn Ryan (conversion Tousani Levale) – 70th (29-14)