Sue Magwood

LENNOXVILLE - Two tries and a conversion from Sue Magwood (Sherbrooke, Que.) led the Bishop's Gaiters to a 42-0 win over the Sherbrooke Vert et Or in Quebec University Rugby Union action tonight at Coulter Field. A boisterous crowd of 50 braved the chilly night air to cheer the Gaiters on to their first regular-season victory in more three years.

The Gaiters were dominant in the first half, as they kept ball possession through multiple phases, and kept the play in the Sherbrooke end of the field for almost the entire 40 minutes. Fourth-year lock Katie Allen (Vankleek Hill, Ont.) opened the scoring in the 6th minute as she put the ball down in the corner of the end zone.

Six minutes later, Magwood broke free of the Sherbrooke defence and ran uncontested 20 yards into the goal. Her conversion made the score 12-0 at the 13-minute mark. The Gaiter onslaught continued four minutes later, as fourth-year centre Frances Bajdik-Bova (Nepean, Ont.) scored her first career try, putting Bishop's up by 17. Tries by Ashley Grant (Milton, Ont.), Melanie Black (Nepean, Ont.) and Meredith Evans (Pembroke, Ont.) gave the Gaiters a 32-0 halftime lead.

Allix Laffoley-Cartier pushed the lead to 37-0 in the 57th minute on her first try of the season. Sherbrooke's Isabelle Boucher threatened to break the shutout, as she had a pair of long runs, however try-saving tackles by LeeAnna Coates (Westbury, Que.) and Jacquie Laidler (Anmore, B.C.) kept the clean sheet in tact. Magwood's second try came on the game's final whistle, clinching the Gaiters' first win in 17 league games - a streak dating back to September 29, 2006.

Laidler, a rookie centre, was named the Gaiters' player of the game, as her strong defensive play kept the Vert et Or out of the end zone, and her leadership in the back line drove several Gaiter possessions.

The 42-point outburst for the Gaiters is their highest single-game score since a 54-0 win over Mount Holyoke (Mass.) on September 13, 2003. The win puts the Gaiters into sole possession of fifth place in the QURU, with one game to play.

The Gaiters (1-4-0) will close out the regular season with a rematch against the Vert et Or (0-5-0) on Sunday, October 18 at the Université de Sherbrooke's Annex field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.