Leighton Geraghty – Contributor

Lennoxville Quebec, home to the Bishop’s Gaiters, saw the 2024 RSEQ Women’s Rugby season commence. The Gaiters were playing host to the visiting Concordia Stingers. Concordia, a nationally ranked team, entered Coulter field as favorites over the Gaiters. However, with the heavy recruitment and new additions to the team by head coach Tom Whyld, the Gaiters showed great resilience. Early in the game, both teams were going back and forth. Bishops, with their back against the wall on the try line a couple of times, had a “bend, but don’t break” mentality. They fought hard to the end of the game but came up short, falling to the Stingers by a score of 28-10. Heading back to the drawing board, they prepared for their next game against the Carleton Ravens. They were the second half of a doubleheader between the Ravens and the Gaiters.

Photo courtesy of Emma Krobath

The men’s rugby team kicked off their season with a whopping 60-0 win over the Ravens. The rough winds and chilly atmosphere stood no chance against the fiery offense led by the team’s number nine Owen McDonnell. McDonell had a career performance, scoring two tries and three conversions. He commanded the field and was a presence on both sides of the ball. His performance granted him the nod as the Player of the Game. 

A 3:15 p.m. kickoff showcased the women’s Rugby team back in action for their second home game of the season. In a tight contest against the Ravens, history was struck. Both teams went back and forth and struggled with the harsh climate, with their kicking games being affected, they had to lean on their grit and determination to get the job done. It was the sophomore Sadie Bull who led the charge on offense, scoring 2 tries on the day. Assisting in the offense was none other than Melody Leggett. Leggett attracted contact and never shied away on defense. The final score of the game was 27-27, marking history as the first time Bishop’s has not been defeated by the Ravens. 

Both teams are back in action this weekend on the road. The women’s team will be in Quebec playing the defending national champions, the Laval Rouge et Or. The men will be in Montreal against ETS.