The Guelph Gryphon women's rugby team opened their season on Sunday in a domination 125-0 victory over the Laurier Golden Hawks in Waterloo, Ont.

The Gryphons have their sights on the gold medal this year and are trying several player combinations early in the season to find the most competitive squad.  

In only her second year with the team, Devon Keys played in the front row for the first time ever and not only managed to hold the scrum steady, but scored four tries in the meantime.  Coupled with another rookie prop, Megan Lowry (1 try), and veteran hooker Brianna Newman (1 try) their strength and athleticism overcame the lack of technique that they will need to gain over the course of the season.  

Captain Caitlin Beaton (2 tries) and veteran Miranda Smith played an excellent game at second row, executing flawlessly in the lineouts and winning turnover ball in the rucks.  The Gryphons back row was literally unstoppable led by last year's CIS player of the year Jacey Murphy (4 tries), three time tournament all-star Steph DeVries (1 try) and the rookie phenom Brittany Priddle who did not look out of place with the two stars.  

To make matters worse for the Hawks, veteran Sam Eyles, now a graduate student at the University of Guelph replaced DeVries at half and added a try of her own, running with fantastic timing off the hip of Jacey Murphy.  Marielle Lehoux, showed her ability to be a threat on the field, squeezing through gaps off the side of the ruck, winning lose ball and setting up scoring opportunities for her teammates.  

The backs were no slouches in this game either, although they did not have much possession.  Laurier had a few very strong runners that could hit the gap and break the first line of defence, but the pace in the back three with Rafferty, McNally and Benn stopped any potential tries. Benn scored a great try starting from a kick from Steph Tibelius, outrunning the Hawks back line to score under the post.  She added a another straight down the middle after splitting the Hawks centres.  

Not to be outdone, winger McNally showed her exceptional speed and footwork outpacing her opposite for 2 tries as well.  Jane Kirby at inside centre, felt the Laurier defence breathing down her neck, but used her finishing speed to score under the posts.  Steph Tibelius was the top scorer of the day with an exceptional kicking record, slotting through 15 of 19 converts.  The Gryphons now have a kicker, which just adds to their weapons.  

The Gryphons made all 7 substitutions looking at rookies, Fallon Stucky and Emily Pitre in the front row, Carleigh Johnson in the centres and veterans Bonnie Parkinson and Allie Brittain fighting to gain spots in the starting lineup.  It looks like a promising season.

Up next the Gryphons travel to London to take on the Western Mustangs this weekend on Saturday (Sept. 17) at 2:00 p.m.