The Lady Gaiters rugby squad had two scrimmages with the University of Toronto this past weekend in Toronto. 
 
Bishop's – 31
University of Toronto – 22
The Gaiters defence was asleep to start the game, they were beat out wide after several missed tackles.  Bishop's went down a quick 5-0.  The Gaiters answered back with Kyra Gate (Truro, N.S./Cobequid Educational Centre) finishing a forward run off a penalty to the corner to tie the game 5-5.  Emily Norris (Stanstead, Que./Stanstead College) missed the difficult convert from the sidelines.  
Bishop's took the lead in the 25^th minute off a lineout that they drove to the goaline, Norris peeled to touch it down.  After a missed convert they were up 10-5.  Minutes before the end of the second quarter U of T took advantage of several missed tackles to touch another one down in the corner, the convert was missed.  The halftime score was 10-10. 
In the third quarter, Bishop's dominated early and were rewarded when Charlene Pettigrew touched it down off a forward ball.  Norris made the convert and they  went up 17-10.  Bishops took a two try lead when they stole a ball at the goal line and Jillian Simpson (Beaconsfield, Que./John Abbott College) picked the ball and dove in for the try.  Norris made the convert and they were up 24-10.
The game was blown wide open when Erika Scott found space and sprinted in from 60 metres out for the score under the post.  Norris completed the convert and the third quarter ended 31-10 for the Gaiters.
In the final quarter the Gaiters let up a little to allow U of T to score two late tries in the final 5 minutes to bring the lead into question.  The final whistle blew with Bishop's winning 31-22.
 
 
Bishop's – 20
University of Toronto – 37
The game started with Bishop's very unfocused and undisciplined.  They went down 17-0 in the first 15 minutes.  After a group discussion, they ladies put on a better effort, they opened the second quarter with momentum and finished off a string of phases when Taylor Merrithew (Kingston, Ont./Bishop's College School) tapped a quick penalty and dove over for the score.  Unfortunately, the momentum was short lived as U of T countered with a try of their own.  Bishop's countered the try with one of their own off a penalty that was touched down in the corner by Gate.  The play went back and forth for most of the second half with both teams exchanging tries.  Merrithew scored her second of the game off a tap and go to bring the deficit to 12 points.   However, U of T closed the scoring out to bring the lead to 17 and a final score of 37-20.
 
"It was a great first week of training camp followed by a promising showing this weekend in Toronto," said head coach Adam Spirk.  "The quality of player and the commitment to excellence has improved.  It feels like the start of something special for Bishop's women's rugby."
 
 
"Extremely promising signs with lots of players stepping up," said assistant coach Tom Whyld.  "We are not perfect by any means but a great place to build from."

Stay up-to-date with the Gaiters at the new gaiters.ca!