Horns rugby look to retain Suggitt Cup in regular season finale

By Lethbridge Herald on October 10, 2023.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Micah Hay attempts to take a pass while battling with Sofia Hoff during attack V defence scenario training during U of L womenÕs rugby practice on Tuesday. U of L will attempt to bring home the Suggitt Cup on Friday in Edmonton.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

This Friday marks not only the end of the Canada West regular season for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns women’s rugby team, but it also marks the chance to see if they can come home with their fifth Suggitt Cup in its sixth year.

The Suggitt Cup is played between both the Pronghorns and University of Alberta Pandas in memory of Ric Suggitt, who coached and made an impact on both programs.

Suggitt died suddenly back in 2017.

The Horns will have to rally on Fridayin Edmonton  in the second leg after they dropped the first leg of the series 38-21 to the University of Alberta Pandas on Sept. 23.

“ Yeah,we were pretty disappointed with our transition defence around our set piece,” said Horns head coach Graeme Moffat.

“So that’s something that we rectified and I think we did relatively well against UBC the following week. So yeah we got to get that element right. They’ve got some big senior players that are quite strong and powerful. So we’ve got to kind of make sure that we’re accurate in these initial couple of phases from set piece to kind of nullify their attack.”

The Horns will have to make up a points differential.

“But we have to go and focus on our performance and get our performance right and then  I think we’ll get what we deserve,” said Moffat.

“If we perform well ,and we’re  accurate in our set piece, we’re accurate in our first couple phases and we get on top of a team and we generally score some tries. That’s the outcome that we’re looking for. Yeah, we’re just excited to go.”

Moffat wants to see the fulfillment in their potential whether it’s win or lose in the regular season finale.

“I think we’re showing really good moments and glimpses of performance throughout the season,” said Moffat.

“So I want to them to go out and perform with an effort and performance that they’re please with ,and that they can be proud of ,and for me, that’s the most important thing as we continue to try and  build and move forward.”

Captain  Brooklyn Perry said just playing with confidence, when asked what they worked on from the previous meeting.

“We do have a young team and I think a lot of times they’re a little bit like unsure,” said Perry.

“But just having that confidence to like go and bring it to them (and) not being scared or passive going  and like taking it to them, instead of letting them come to us.”

Perry said it’s definitely an emotional cup.

“Ric Suggitt used to coach here for a while and so obviously when he passed, it was a huge loss to the program,” she said.

“So it’s definitely more than just rugby. It’s definitely more of  a community thing and bringing us together with U of A because he also coached at U of A as well. So, it’s definitely more than just a rugby thing, it’s a personal thing and emotional thing. So yeah we’re hoping to win it for him and win it for each other.”

The second leg of the Suggitt Cup is on Friday  at U of A at 7 p.m.

The Suggit Cup winner is based on total aggregate points.

Once the regular season is complete, U of L with turn their attention to hosting the Canada West championship beginning on Oct. 19.