Guelph beats Laval and claims fifth place in the 2024 U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship
The Guelph Gryphons held off a strong second-half surge from top-seeded Laval to secure a thrilling 23-17 victory in the 2024 Cavendish Farms U SPORTS Women’s Rugby Championship consolation final.
Guelph opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, with Grace Jacklyn’s penalty goal marking the tournament’s first successful kick. The Gryphons quickly extended their lead as Kennedy Feasby powered over the line for a try, which Jacklyn converted to make it 10-0. Jacklyn added another penalty goal in the 26th minute, capitalizing on Laval’s repeated infringements, to push the lead to 13-0 at halftime.
Despite a yellow card to Béatrice Gagné late in the first half, Laval fought back after the break. Anne-Sophie Carreau scored a try in the 38th minute, with Adèle Samson’s conversion closing the gap to 13-7. Guelph responded with Jacklyn’s third penalty goal, extending their lead to 16-7, but Laval quickly countered with a try from Léa Ouellet in the 52nd minute, bringing the score to 16-12.
With Laval’s Anne Lamothe sent to the sin bin in the 56th minute, Guelph took advantage as Gerry Atkins scored, and Jacklyn’s conversion pushed the score to 23-12. Laval added a late try by Camille Arvin-Bérod, but Samson’s missed conversion kept the score at 23-17, allowing Guelph to secure the win.
The Guelph Gryphons finish the championship in 5th place, while the Laval Rouge et Or finish in 6th place.
PLAYERS OF THE GAME:
- Guelph: Kennedy Feasby
- Laval: Corinne Fréchette
SCORING SUMMARY
First Half
3' – GUELPH Penalty Goal: Grace Jacklyn – GUELPH 3-0 LAVAL
7' – GUELPH Try: Kennedy Feasby (Conversion by Grace Jacklyn) – GUELPH 10-0 LAVAL
26' – GUELPH Penalty Goal: Grace Jacklyn – GUELPH 13-0 LAVAL
Halftime
Guelph 13, Laval 0
Second Half
38' – LAVAL Try: Anne-Sophie Carreau (Conversion by Adèle Samson) – GUELPH 13-7 LAVAL
48' – GUELPH Penalty Goal: Grace Jacklyn – GUELPH 16-7 LAVAL
52' – LAVAL Try: Léa Ouellet (Conversion missed) – GUELPH 16-12 LAVAL
58' – GUELPH Try: Gerry Atkins (Conversion by Grace Jacklyn) – GUELPH 23-12 LAVAL
66' – LAVAL Try: Camille Arvin-Bérod (Conversion missed) – GUELPH 23-17 LAVAL