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| HARC Captain Gina Steffano breaks the gainline. |
The SHARCs started the scoring off in the 2nd minute with a try from outside center Bonnie Richardson (AKA, "Bonnie Rugby" because she is an Aggie, class of 2013) who received the ball through some quick hands after a scrum 15 meters from the Valkyrie's in-goal. After a long period of solid defense in the SHARC's half, Austin scored their only points of the game in the 20th minute. The rest of the first half saw some very determined defense from both sides with Austin losing a player to the sin-bin for repeated early lifting in the line out. At halftime, the match was drawn at 5-all.
Four minutes into the second half, the SHARCs added seven to their score when Richardson darted 30 meters down the left touch line, then turned to dot down under the posts, making an easy conversion for Nick James (another Aggie, '11). A few minutes later, the SHARCs lost Captain Gina Steffano (recently returned from Fiji with Atlantis 7s) to a calf injury.
Four minutes into the second half, the SHARCs added seven to their score when Richardson darted 30 meters down the left touch line, then turned to dot down under the posts, making an easy conversion for Nick James (another Aggie, '11). A few minutes later, the SHARCs lost Captain Gina Steffano (recently returned from Fiji with Atlantis 7s) to a calf injury.
At the 65 minute mark, the SHARCs garnered a yellow card when lock Teresa Pavljuk commited a dangerous tackle on a low running Valkyrie. Some loose ball handling from the ensuing lineout allowed Richardson to scoop the ball at the half way line and run untouched to score for her hat-trick. Superb ball handling after a scrum allowed the SHARCs (with a forward still in the bin) to pass the ball along the back line to Richardson, who again showed her amazing speed to score for her 4th try on the day and the final points of the match.
The balance of the game was played in the center of the field with neither team allowing the other to threaten their try areas. The SHARCs pack dominated the scrums and the Valkyrie’s failed attempts at complicated lineout maneuvers created multiple free kicks awarded to the home team.
The Women’s division of the Red River Rugby Conference is no longer a one horse race. Houston proved eager to make their mark this season and have done so in no uncertain terms. The balance of the season is far from over for the SHARCs, as they face long trips to Denton and Tulsa followed by a final home match against the always-tough Oklahoma Roses. Austin remains on top of the RRRC D1 table, though. The Conference Champion may likely be decided by point differential. Austin currently has the edge by having played one more game than Houston, but that is most certain to change. The SHARCs will be looking to hang as many points on their final three opponents as possible.
Houston SHARCs coach Martin Chalmers lauded his charges stating, "All the ladies have worked really hard this year to justify what we saw as our rightful inclusion in division 1. Although some did not see it that way and said so publicly, we used that as motivation so we could prove them wrong. We built from a solid core of girls and added some new players, Nick (James), (Chelsea) Peper and Bonnie (Richardson). We've really enjoyed the competition and the good heated rivalry that the Valks have given us, even though both teams want to win I think we can see the benefits in have good strong opponents to play against."
The Women’s division of the Red River Rugby Conference is no longer a one horse race. Houston proved eager to make their mark this season and have done so in no uncertain terms. The balance of the season is far from over for the SHARCs, as they face long trips to Denton and Tulsa followed by a final home match against the always-tough Oklahoma Roses. Austin remains on top of the RRRC D1 table, though. The Conference Champion may likely be decided by point differential. Austin currently has the edge by having played one more game than Houston, but that is most certain to change. The SHARCs will be looking to hang as many points on their final three opponents as possible.
Houston SHARCs coach Martin Chalmers lauded his charges stating, "All the ladies have worked really hard this year to justify what we saw as our rightful inclusion in division 1. Although some did not see it that way and said so publicly, we used that as motivation so we could prove them wrong. We built from a solid core of girls and added some new players, Nick (James), (Chelsea) Peper and Bonnie (Richardson). We've really enjoyed the competition and the good heated rivalry that the Valks have given us, even though both teams want to win I think we can see the benefits in have good strong opponents to play against."
