Fourth-ranked Gryphon rugby women drop McMaster

HAMILTON – The Guelph Gryphons made it two wins from two OUA women’s rugby outings as they dropped the McMaster Marauders 48-8 Friday night at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium.

The Gryphons, ranked fourth in the country, scored their first try 10 minutes into the match and added another before the hosts scored their first points of the game, a penalty kick by Chayse Palfi.

Guelph added three more tries to lead 31-3 at halftime.

McMaster kept the second half scoreless for 12 minutes before the Gryphs hit for their first of three tries in the half.

The Marauders collected their lone try of the game with Osa Olaye touching the ball down in the end zone.

Gryphon scorers were not available.

The win was the ninth consecutive victory for the Gryphs over McMaster following a string of three straight wins by McMaster in the series.

While the Gryphs are 2-0 this season, McMaster falls to 0-2.

The Gryphs are to host the Toronto Varsity Blues (1-0) next Saturday (Sept. 16) in the first game of the Gryphon Rugby Day doubleheader at 1 p.m. at Varsity Field.

After that it’ll be a pair of games against nationally-ranked teams for the Gryphs as they’re to play the second-ranked and defending OUA champion Queen’s Gaels (1-0) at Kingston Sept. 23 and host the eighth-ranked Western Mustangs (1-0) Oct. 1 at Varsity Field.

The Gryphon men, who are to open their regular season today (Sept. 9) against the Laurier Golden Hawks at Waterloo, are to host the Trent Excalibur in their home opener Sept. 16 at 3:30 p.m., the second game of the Gryphon Rugby Day doubleheader.

• Guelph Sports Journal