Gemini girls’ rugby strength extends in numbers off the field

Surrounded by WCI tacklers, Gemini Asha David (centre) prepares to move the ball. David had a try and a two-point convert in a 32-5 TVRA victory. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

A team can only put 15 rugby players on a field at one time.

But Tillsonburg Gemini girls coach Shelby Coldoc was thrilled to have another 18 on the sidelines for Tuesday, May 5th’s Thames Valley Regional Athletics 32-5 Veronica Harrigan Division victory over the visiting Woodstock CI Red Devils.

“When we started, we only had 13,” said Colldock. “To have 33 on our roster, playable, is wildly different.”

‘Numbers’ could be considered a team strength, backing up athletic ability, practice and execution. Assistant coach Tony Hietkamp, a passionate supporter of the game and energetic sideline voice, attributes some of the sport’s popularity to the elevated profile of the Canadian women’s teams, including a remarkable performance at last year’s world championships.

“They placed second in the world.”

The fact 24 of the 33 Tillsonburg roster members are in either Grade 9 or 10 adds to the coaching staff’s excitement, in that along with an undefeated 3-0 regular season record to date, the Gemini have a promising future.

“I hope to keep growing,” said Colldock.

The visiting Red Devils also fielded a young side, which to its credit, never gave up as the score and fatigue due to having only four subs mounted.

“We’ve been there,” said Colldock, praising the visitors’ efforts along with their sportsmanship.

She was happy with her own team’s results as well, getting every player onto the field during a contest which the Gemini controlled territorially. Alex Jones led Tillsonburg’s offence with a pair of five-point tries, Asha David added one and also kicked a two-point conversion. Keona Cornish, Sophia Silliker and Sienna Waterhouse each added a single try.

“It’s been great,” said the latter, both of the team’s performance and its strength in numbers. “It gives us lots of opportunity to support each other, more eyes to see what’s going on on the field and lots of breathers.”

“We obviously have more energy to play,” added Allie Deroo, who like her coach, gave props to the losing side’s effort, credited with a Georgia Kudzia try on the last play of the game. “They played very good, absolutely.”

In order, Tillsonburg has opened the season with victories over the London Clarke Road Trojans, Woodstock Huron Park Huskies and Red Devils.

“We have a good group of girls,” said Silliker. “It’s nice to have fun and play well.”

The season has unfolded as hoped, with one significant caveat. Having gone to 3-0 at home, a Thursday road trip to St. Thomas Parkside to take on the equally undefeated Stampeders loomed even larger than normal.

“This needs to be the year,” said Cornish, a graduating Grade 12 student who also plays club rugby.

Technically speaking, Thursday’s game with Parkside was as much about bragging rights and homefield advantage as positioning. Regardless of outcome, Colldock believes the teams will finish one/two and meet again in the first round of the playoffs.

Having said that, she wouldn’t object to that meeting coming on the heels of a victory.

“That would be nice… that would be a first.”