The Dauphin Clippers varsity girls rugby 7s team is undefeated after three jamborees, including winning both games at its home jamboree, Sunday.
The Clippers beat their JV counterparts, 41-0, to open the tournament. They then defeated Vincent Massey 1, 48-0.
The wins improve Dauphin’s record to 7-0. They will look to win the fall 7s season at the final jamboree, today in Brandon, hosted by Crocus Plains.
Clippers coach Shawn Sarkonak felt the girls had a bit of a rough start against the Clippers JVs.
“I think they were underestimating our JV team and the JVs came out strong. We were able to come out of that with the win, like we should,” he said.
Overall, Sarkonak was much more pleased with the second game, with the way the team was moving the ball, offloading it and keeping the flow of the game.
Sarkonak noted the team has been working hard in practice.
“They just work on the structure and the flow and just moving from sideline to sideline. And communication. And just the different scenarios and what you can find yourself in. They’re using it today,” he said.
“When there isn’t a ruck formed, they’re releasing the ball and getting to their feet. They’re waiting for support to get there. They’re counter-rucking. They’re doing everything we’ve asked them to do.”
When the 15s season gets underway in the spring, the varsity squad will definitely be leading that team, Sarkonak said.
“But overall, with the experience that the JV players are getting, they’ll definitely be putting their hands up for starters spots, for sure,” he added.
After the opening loss to the varsity squad, the JVs lost to Souris, 25-5.
No score was reported from the game against Crocus M.
Noting all of the players on the JV team are first-year players having never played before, JV coach Codi Harrigan has seen improvement in the team’s play.
“I’ve seen a really good, positive increase in performance from these girls. They came out first practice not knowing anything,” he said.
“We’re definitely advancing game after game after game. And we’re shocking some people, other coaches have told me.”
The team continues to learn and improve with every practice and game.
“They enjoy being out here with each other. They’re building a good team with one another. Their skills are improving, for sure,” Harrigan said.
Competing in the fall 7s season will give the JV players a head start when the 15s season begins in the spring.
“They’ve got a head start on the 15s here. They’ve faced three of the toughest teams here today and they’re getting a taste of the game,” Harrigan said.
“They’re getting to see what the competition is like and they’re going to go against the same girls in the spring. It’s good for them to come out and play these girls now and they know what they have to work on in the winter.”
