The host Red Deer Titans opened their Calgary Rugby Union Women’s First Division season with a victory Saturday.
And yet they didn’t.
Despite rolling over the Calgary Canadian Irish Athletic Club 30-7, the Red Deer squad had to forfeit the contest due to the fact they had just 14 players dressed, one less than the allowed minimum.
Still, head coach Bill Bowd was pleased with what he witnessed on a cool afternoon at Titans Park.
“My assistant coach, Courtney Armstrong, and I were so impressed,” said Bowd. “They (players) did exactly what we asked them to do and they kept doing it, and that’s all you can ask for.
“They played the game we wanted them to play and as long as they keep improving . . . and we’re going to get fitter. The fitter you are the better you get and by the end of the year I think we’re going to be a team to be reckoned with.”
Of course, the Titans need more bodies on the field, a problem Bowd is confident will be solved in short order.
“It looks like we’ll get a few veterans back as the season goes on,” he stated. “It’s been a really slow season as far as getting players out.
“Once you have a win like this then all of a sudden players go ‘OK, well I can play now’. I had one on the sidelines today who is going to start playing next week and I talked to one yesterday who’s going to start playing next week. So that’s going to give us more numbers and hopefully we can get the numbers up to 21 or 22 steadily, then we’re in a good position.”
The Titans had six rookies in their lineup Saturday, including Anna Schoonhoven, who scored one of five Red Deer tries. The others were scored by Raven Craig, Dacey Livingstone, Katie McIver and Michelle Novotny, who also booted a convert and contributed a penalty kick.
“We have some good, strong runners this season,” said Bowd, who has returned to the Titans women’s team after a three-year absence.
The Titans women, historically a provincial championship contender, missed the playoffs last season for the first time in several years. Bowd is confident that won’t be the case for a second consecutive year.
“We’re going to get better and better,” he said. “It’s been tough in the spring because we’ve only had eight or nine players out to practice. But the nice thing is they’re listening and learning.
“They understand what I ask them to do. Rugby is a simple game. We keep it simple and the girls will do well.”
• In men’s action later in the day, the Red Deer Titans Second Division squad downed the visiting Calgary Saracens 47-13 and the Saracens defeated the Titans in Third Division play.