Crowsnest Pass Voice: Soggy exhibition game for Hawks and Pandas JV Rugby Girls

JV Rugby: Hawks vs Pandas
Janelle Jorgensen photos

Chris Davis

Pincher Creek's JV Hawks hosted their Crowsnest Pass Pandas counterparts for what turned out to be a very wet rugby game at the Matthew Halton School field on Wednesday evening, May 15. Both teams played an enthusiastic game despite a rain that didn't let up until it was all over. Scorekeeping was a bit sketchy, but it was reported that the Hawks won the game by a comfortable 25-15 margin. It was the first time these teams met this season.

Hawks Coach Randy Whitehead was glad, as always, that the girls got to play. "It's always good in youth programs to get them in games, because that's how you learn and grow in this game," he said afterwards. "So the more games you can get them in... I thought it was fun, the weather was beautiful, rugby weather, there was rain and it was nice. Both teams played good."

Shawn Forbes and Daniela Mayo coach the Pandas, and seemed equally pleased with the effort. "This is our first year playing, they've learned a lot, saidn Mayo. "They were all blank slates when they joined and now they're doing awesome." Forbes concurred. "We've had one tournament and a couple of season games, and they've done really well," he said. "They've grown a huge amount in the short season we've had. For a first year team they're playing at a level like this, it's amazing."

"We've had at least two games a week since we started," added Mayo. "We don't have a home field, we come here to play."

Coming up for the Hawks according to Coach Whitehead is "A home game on Tuesday (May 20) against Chinook, both JVs and Seniors, then JVs go to JV Fest (in Medicine Hat) next Saturday, then playoffs after that." The Pandas will also be participating in the Medicine Hat tournament, where there's a possibility for a rematch with the Hawks, depending on how things go.