The defending OUA champion, Guelph Gryphon women's rugby team opened the 2010 season with a dominating performance, defeating the Waterloo Warrriors 25-0 on Saturday afternoon in Waterloo. 
 

The Gryphons move to 1-0 on the season.  
 

Leading Guelph was fourth-year veteran Jacey Murphy (Alliston, Ont.), scoring 15 points on three tries. Third-year Britt Benn (Napanee, Ont.) and first-year Brianna Newman (Belleville, Ont.) each tallied five points, scoring a try apiece. 
 

Guelph started out strong in attack against Waterloo in front of a large and noisy crowd.  It was evident that Guelph had speed across the backline and Waterloo tried to quickly adapt to Guelph's pressure on the outside.  Britt Benn was able to outpace her opposite wing and chip it over the fullback for great field position.  The forwards used their size and strength to put together several phases of great straight forward rugby.  The ball was then spun wide to Benn who scored in the corner.  The kick fell short and Guelph was ahead 5-0.  
 

Although Guelph retained possession for much of the first half and played disciplined rugby, they were unable to convert the opportunities given into points.  Handling errors in contact and slow support runners allowed Waterloo to steal ball and gain some yardage.  Guelph's defence however, held strong and true and Waterloo was denied any points in the first half.  
 

Katie McNally, Guelph's rookie of the year last year was exceptional in defence and saved Guelph time squashing Waterloo's strongest runner.  After changing the strategy at half time to more open and flowing game, Guelph came out with all pistons firing.  Jacey Murphy, once again in top form scored three tries in the second half by powering through the Warrior defence.  In the second half, our support runners were able to retain possession, keeping Waterloo on their hind feet.  Brianna Newman, coming off the bench at half hammered through the defense at the goal line to add one more try to the score board. 
 

Up next the Gryphons host the Trent Excalibur in their home opener next weekend, September 18 at 1:00 p.m.