EDMONTON – The University of Calgary Dinos claimed third place at the 2015 Canada West rugby championship thanks to a 15-12 victory over the Alberta Pandas on Sunday at Ellerslie Rugby Park.
The CIS sixth-ranked Dinos end their season on a positive note and with their third win over the U of A in the last four games going back to last season.
Alberta, ranked No.9 in CIS, meanwhile sagged to fourth place in the conference championship tournament after winning three straight conference crowns between 2012 and 2014. In fact, the Dinos and Pandas had played each other in three straight Canada West gold medal games coming into this season, with Alberta winning all three, but with the loss today Alberta has now lost to Calgary in each of the 2014 and 2015 regular seasons, and now, for the first time, on day two of the Canada West championship tournament.
Calgary, winners of all four of their regular season games this season and the conference No.1 seed coming into the weekend, got off to a strong start on Sunday, going up 7-0 on a converted try from DaLeaka Menin.
The Dinos did all of the scoring in the first half, and touched down for their second in the 24th minute, when Sarah Adriano broke through the Alberta defence. It went unconverted, however, and the teams went into halftime with Calgary leading 12-0.
Alberta finally found paydirt in the 66th minute when rookie Ali Wicklum took a pass from Savannah Dubien and raced into the endzone. The Pandas were unable to convert, leaving the score 12-5 for Calgary.
Canada West regular season scoring leader Elysa Sandron scored the game winning points on a penalty goal in the 75th minute, and although Alberta added a converted try in the 80th minute from Amy Speers, Calgary hung on for the victory.
After the match, each team was awarded four conference all-stars as Tarin Arnt (prop), DaLeaka Menin (prop), Emily Tuttosi (hooker) and Sandron earned distinction for the Dinos while Alberta's Sara Haring (lock), Elizabeth Steele (back row), Amanda Smith (scrum half) and Julia Goss (centre) were recognized as well.
