MONTREAL -- Fly-half Katie Shea scored a game-high 17 points as the visiting Bishop's Gaiters cruised to a 52-7 victory over McGill in the RSEQ women's rugby opener at Percival Molson Stadium, Saturday. Shea, a native of St. John, N.B., scored one try and was good on six of eight conversion attempts.

McGill opened the scoring and went up 7-0 early in the first half but the Gaiters returned the favour and never looked back, scoring 52 unanswered points. BU controlled the possession and exploited quick, fast attacks and breakaway speed on the wings, which the Martlets were unable to match.

"Despite scoring first, it was a tough start," said newly-appointed McGill head coach Allan Swetman. "The last 20 minutes were more positive as we started playing with some structure. All things considered, I'm not overly disappointed as we only had seven practices thus far and this was the first game in two years for most of our team. I expect to see much improvement over the next few weeks."
 
Rookie second row starter Tai Mavalwala, a third-year biology major from St. Lazare, Que., tallied the lone try for the Martlets. Junior Jessica McBain of North Vancouver, B.C.,  successfully kicked the conversion.

Seven different Gaiters registered on the scoresheet. Senior Erika Scott of Dewittville, Que., scored a pair of tries while singles went to Mia Veneziano of Rosemere, Que., Savannah Leroux of Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., Annabelle Chamberland-Dostie of Trois-Rivières, Myriam Elkas of Sherbrooke, and substitute Katie Locke of Tiny, Ont.

McGill (0-1) will play next on Sunday, Sept. 19, when they host Carleton (0-1) in a 1 p.m. kickoff at Molson Stadium. Bishop's (1-0) returns to Montreal on Sept. 19, where they will take on the Carabins.

SCORING SUMMARY
Bishop's Gaiters 52, McGill Martlets 7

FIRST HALF:
1. McG: Tai Mavalwala (TRY; converted by Jessica McBain), 6' (McGill leads 7-0)
2. BSH: Myriam Elkas (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 9' (score tied at 7-7)
3. BSH: Katie Shea (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 20' (Bishop's leads 14-7)
4. BSH: Erika Scott (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 28' (Bishop's leads 21-7)
2. BSH: Annabelle Chamberland-Dostie (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 38' (Bishop's leads 28-7)
2. BSH: Mia Veneziano (TRY; convert missed by Katie Shea), 38' (Bishop's leads 33-7)

SECOND HALF:
2. BSH: Erika Scott (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 49' (Bishop's leads 40-7)
2. BSH: Savannah Leroux (TRY; convert missed by Katie Shea), 55' (Bishop's leads 45-7)
2. BSH: Katie Locke (TRY; converted by Katie Shea), 79' (Bishop's leads 52-7)

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SOURCE:
Earl Zukerman
Sports Information Officer
Athletics & Recreation
McGill University
514-398-7012 (Off.)
m.athletics.mcgill.ca (mobile website)
www.mcgillathletics.ca
earl.zukerman@mcgill.ca