Women's rugby kills Wittenberg

Final game won 15-7, final record 3-2-1

Last Saturday the O.C. Rhino Ruggers headed south in search of sunshine and victory against the Wittenberg University. They successfully trounced Wittenberg 15 to 7 and ended their winning season on a high note with an overall record of 3-2-1.

"The key to rugby is intimidation and aggressive play, especially in the first ten minutes of the game," said Coach Liesl Strickler, the assistant director of major gifts, as she psyched the Rhino Ruggers up in the pre-game huddle. The Ruggers, heeding the words of their fearless leader came out strong in the first half, hitting hard and stopping Wittenberg's offensive drive with killer tackles and resounding thumps on the ground. Those who had particularly hard hitting games included sophomore Vanya "Varnia" Hollis, junior Chris "boom boom" Boehm and senior Tara "Sister Mary Edna" Ikenouye.

The first Oberlin try scored by junior Sashi Kaufman came mid-way through the first half out of a scrumdown by Wittenberg but stolen by the powerful drive of the Oberlin scrummies, the quick feet of hooker junior Alli Mattheis and run in by Kaufman for the try. Wittenberg tried to recover their momentum and managed to get within meters of the Oberlin try-zone, but was repelled by the tough defense and strong team-play of the Oberlin squad.

"We're really great team-players," fly-half Ikenouye said. "The back-line was really working well together."

The second Oberlin try was scored by eight-man senior Becca Barnes, known as a very aggressive player, who broke several tackles to power into the try-zone for the score. So Oberlin left Wittenberg, scoreless at half time, wondering if it had been such a good idea to cancel practice that week in anticipation of playing the same team they had beaten last season.

Wittenberg's frustration reared it's ugly head in the second half of the game as play turned dirty. Punching and hair-pulling in the rucks and mauls went un-called by the referee. Oberlin refused to sink to that level and continued playing excellent rugby through out the second half of the game, led by their captain junior Susanna "Hard Head" Henighan.

Highlights included; exceptional improvement from all of the Rhino Ruggers rookies especially first-years Erin McCarthy and Kate Stillman.

Strutting their stuff in the scrum were rookies: Blair Evans and Heather Foster as well as Sophie "shake it around" King.

The Rhino Ruggers kicking game was slightly disabled by the sprained ankle of their powerhouse fullback sophomore Jen Kew. Kew played admirably in the first half of the game, kicking with her other foot and was replaced by sophomore Brenna Berman in the second half of the game.

Berman, who is an asset in the wing position, filled in with style at fullback. "I've never played fullback before," Berman said. "But Jen and I are really close, and it was like I could hear her in my head telling me what to do."

Towards the end of the second half Wittenberg managed to score on a break away run, but the Rhino Ruggers re-grouped to score again with only a few seconds left. The try was scored by Chris "boom boom" Boehm who barreled her way into the try-zone supported by a pack of powerful scrummies.

"Chris is really good at getting low and driving" reported her teammate in the scrum sophomore Blair "The Iron maiden" Winter.

The final score was 15-7 and satisfaction was felt by all as they piled into cars for the long trek home.

The game was summed up nicely by hooker sophomore Varuni Tiruchelvam, who ran off the field beating her chest and roaring, "Yeah baby, Rhino Ruggers Kick Ass!"

(TOP) Keep your eye on the pig-skin: Rhino Ruggers kicking tail at Wittenberg University. Senior Sophie King skys on the line-out while senior Anne Braucher keeps her from crushing Wittenberg players underfoot.

(BOTTOM) Scrum hum-drum: The two teams battle for possession.