Griffins look to wise decision making and solid play at provincials

By Lethbridge Herald on June 7, 2023.

By Justin Seward

The Winston Churchill High School Griffins senior girls rugby team are looking to defend their Tier 2 Provincial title this weekend in Calgary.

The Griffins are flying high going in after beating Chinook in the Tier 2 zone final on Monday.

“We’re kind of peaking at the right time, I’m hoping,” said head coach Shannon Court.

With the short time frame between the zone final and provincials, the focus was more on finessing some aspects of their game in making sure the preparation is there once they hit the field.

“Because our first game is completely unknown,” said Court.

“ (With) Bowness, we haven’t seen them beforehand, we haven’t heard anything. I don’t remember the last time they were at provincials. So it’ll be really interesting to see what our team does against them. I really don’t know.”

What Court hopes will carry over from last year’s championship is the decision making on the field.

“It happen to us last year, is in our semi-final we were tied in the last, gosh, three to five minutes and we ended up kicking the point, which most high school teams are unaware of and don’t really think of,” said Court.

“And our kicker, Jayda Morrison, made the kick and that’s how we won because that was by far the strongest team we played ,even though it was a semi-final. So I think one of the things we’re carrying over is really helping our team to make the decisions on the field with the score that they have and how to best move forward. Like when to maintain the ball possession and when to force some things as well.”

Court believes the team is strong across the board heading into provincials.

“We’ve got a really strong forward pack that delivers some great like slow balls … and we’ve got some really dynamic backs that can run the ball strong and hard and challenge the line,” said Court.

“When we’re playing in our top form, our offence is on point and it’s just across the board.”

The coaching staff has reminded the girls that there are no easy games.

“Like the rugby level across the province has really increased,” said Court.

“So we talked to the girls about don’t underestimate any teams. You have to play every game full out. There is no relaxation at this point.”

The ASAA Provincials go June 9 and 10 in Calgary and the schedule can be found at www. asaa.ca and under the Provincial Championships tab.

The Griffins are going in ranked first for Tier 2 girls.