EDMONTON - Alanna Fittes scored four tries and 32 points overall to lead the No.2 ranked University of Alberta Pandas rugby team to a convincing 62-17 win over the No.8 ranked University of Calgary Dinos. The game was the Canada West season opener, and took place on Saturday at the Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton.

Fittes, a third-year back three player who hails from Rimbey, Alberta, was a dynamo on the pitch for Alberta. Not only did she score four tries, several of the sprint past Calgary defender variety, but she also kicked six converts to finish the match with 32 points. Fifth-year Louise Chavarie scored a pair of tries for Alberta, which is the defending Canada West champion, while Janelle Romanchuk, Sabrina Kelly, Elizabeth Steele and Chelsea Guthrie, the 2012 Canada West MVP, all scored singles.

The game was a rematch of the 2012 Canada West championship game, which the Pandas won 20-12. With both Calgary and Alberta returning a majority of their players, and starters, from last year, it is expected that the two Alberta teams will be the teams to beat in Canada West.

On Saturday, Calgary got tries from Samantha Crandell, Sarah Adriano and Elizabeth MacKinnon, while Kate Scotland, who led Canada West in points last year, converted once.

It was the Dinos who opened the scoring on Saturday. Crandell scooped up an errant Alberta possession, and rushed through the Pandas' defence for an early score just minutes into the game. Scotland kicked a successful convert, and the Dinos promptly went up 7-0 on the home side.

But, it only took a few more minutes for Matt Parrish's side to gain their composure and strike back. Kelly, who has also won Canada West and CIS wrestling gold with Alberta, fought her way through a pack to touch for five points, but Fittes was not able to convert the  sharp angled kick, which left Calgary in front 7-5.

Chavarie, part of a veteran and experienced group of leaders on the Pandas, bulldozed her way for five points shortly thereafter, and that was followed up by a try from Steele as the Pandas jumped out to a 17-7 advantage.

Calgary got one back when MacKinnon blitzed along the left wing to score untouched, but Fittes picked up her first of the game just before the half-time whistle, and the Pandas entered the break up 24-12.
Alberta then scored 17 straight points to start the second half, which put the game out of reach and solidify the 1-0 start.

The Pandas will next be in action when they travel to Vancouver to take on the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, September 27. They will also play the Victoria Vikes, but on September 29. Calgary will make the same trip, but play the BC teams in reverse order, starting with Victoria on the 27th and finishing in Vancouver on the 29th.