Rugby Sevens picks up three points in home opener

By: William Shoukri
Humber Athletics Communications

ETOBICOKE - It was a hot, sunny day at Valley Field on Saturday as Humber hosted the third OCAA rugby sevens tournament of the 2023 season. The Hawks would win their first game 34-0 against Conestoga, tie the second 17-17 against Seneca and drop the third 24-0 against Durham. Natalia De Marco was great for Humber, finishing the day with three tries while making multiple clutch tackles. 

Game One (Humber 34, Conestoga 0) 

Facing Conestoga for the second time this season, the Hawks looked to improve to 2-0 against the Condors. Humber started out strong, running in a try on their first drive of the game with Natalia De Marco breaking through the defensive line to open the scoring for the Hawks.

Humber kept up the pressure with Alison Jodhan-Smiley running in a try to make it 10-0 Hawks. The Hawks would force a turnover shortly after, with Jodhan-Smiley putting together a huge run. The run would set up Corey McArthur, letting her score Humber's third try of the game. The half would end 15-0 Humber, with the Hawks unable to convert on any of the tries. 

Humber came out strong and fast in the second half. De Marco would make a huge cross-field run, scoring her second try of the game and Humber's fourth.

After the try, Conestoga would up the ante defensively, trying to stem the Hawks' offence. They would keep Humber at the center line for a few minutes before Megan Payne would break through with an incredible run. She would score, and Alicia Hayes would kick in her first conversion of the match, making it 27-0 Humber.

After the try, Conestoga would finally mount an offensive push. Unfortunately for the Condors, Amy-Leigh Berrington would make a huge tackle, dashing the Condors' hopes. Humber was not going to let Conestoga get momentum, though, as Jada Fowler exploded, scoring a highlight reel try. Hayes would kick another conversion, ending the game 34-0 Humber. 

Game Two (Humber 17, Seneca 17) 

Humber wanted to ride their momentum from the previous win, but Seneca (2-6) came out hot. The Sting scored two tries right off the bat, going up 12-0 before the four-minute mark. Humber tried pushing back, but the Sting was just too strong. Seneca would score another try before the end of the half, increasing their lead to 17-0. 

Humber came into the second half mad, and they played like it. Mara De Melo would score in the ninth minute, making the score 17-5. With the bench fired up on the sidelines, Humber would muscle their way into the offensive zone. Some great defence from Seneca would push them back to center, but a huge play from Mia Berry would cut the Sting's lead to seven.

Now only down by seven, the Hawks put on the pressure. With play stagnant at the center line, Seneca would try and make a push, but Humber forced a turnover, taking the play in the other direction. This was the push that Humber needed, as a huge last-minute run by Natalia De Marco would let Meghan Aucoin score, cutting Seneca's lead to only two. With the score 17-15, Mara De Melo would line up her kick. With no time on the clock and Humber down two, De Melo would thread the kick inside the left post, tying the game. The game would finish 17-17, with Humber improving to 1-0-1 on the day. 

Game Three (Durham 24, Humber 0) 

Facing the first-place Durham Lords, Humber looked to shock the favourites. Durham started out strong, scoring on their initial run, then stealing it from Humber and scoring again. With the score 10-0, Ciara London would go on a long run, breaking multiple tackles to score Durham's third try of the game. Durham would convert on the try, increasing their lead to 17. The half would end 17-0 Durham. 

Humber was much stronger in the second half, trying their best defensively. They would hold Durham at center for the first two minutes of the half. Durham would continue to show their dominance, though, forcing multiple turnovers and stumping the Humber offence. Durham would score once more late in the game, with Shantel Wray making a long run. Durham would convert on the try, ending the game 24-0 in the face of Humber's valiant effort. 

Humber Highlights

• Humber currently sits fourth in the OCAA with a 5-4-1 record.
• Rookies Natalia De Marco and Alison Jodhan-Smiley scored the first tries of her OCAA career.
• Jada Fowler now has eight career tries. 

What's Next?

Humber (5-4-1, 4th OCAA) looks to improve their standing in another tournament on Saturday, October 14. They will play St. Lawrence (8-2, 2nd OCAA) at 11:00 AM and Algonquin (7-2-1, 3rd OCAA) at 1:00 PM.