GUELPH – The Guelph Gryphons women's rugby team got what they wanted – the opportunity to repeat. The defending conference champions advanced to the 2017 title match with a dominant 55-0 win over the York Lions in an OUA semi-final Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field.

The victory ensures that Guelph will secure an OUA medal for the 24th consecutive year, while also earning a berth at the U SPORTS national championship in Lethbridge, AB Nov 2-5.

"We focus on our weekly goals more than the big outcome but now we're here," said coach Colette McAuley. "It was one of our goals, to get back into that final game and defend our title."
 

Third-year wing Emmanuela Jada led the way with three tries, while third-year flanker Taylor Durham had the last two for Guelph. Fourth-year wing Emily Samek, second-year lock Brodie Schmidt and third-year fly half Julia Schell all had a try each, while fifth-year scrum half Chloe Runge added a penalty kick.

The Gryphons were looking to expand their offence in the matchup with York. Guelph defeated the Lions 76-10 when the two sides last met in Toronto in September but the improved York team was expected to pose a physical threat.

The Gryphons' speed proved too much for York. Jada struck first in the seventh minute, taking a ball wide right and then sprinting past the Lions' defenders. Samek scored on a similar play just two minutes later, out-running York to the line. Schell converted both tries and after Schmidt added the third try in the 20^th minute, the route was on.

McAuley has been satisfied with her players' defensive commitment but wanted the Guelph offence to be less predictable. She saw the week of practice pay off on Schell's dazzling try in the 27^th minute. The Gryphons utilized an option that opened up and Schell took advantage, bolting up the middle of the pitch for a weaving, 60-yard run.

"It was slick," McAuley said of the try that made it 26-0. "They just slipped right through the defence and it was beautiful. It was well-timed, well-executed and it was communicated well.
 

"It's about confidence in being able to play that out wide game and that fast offload," she added about the expanded offensive approach. "They tried to do that today and I was really proud of them."

Runge's penalty kick made it 29-0 and Jada would flash her speed again, scoring a try before halftime and one more in the 49^th minute.

"We just got Jada back and we want to base a lot of things off her," said Schell. "We don't know anyone that can keep up with her."

The Gryphons picked up a few injuries in the match but hope to be at full strength for the OUA Championship next week at Varsity Field when they take on the Queen's Gaels, who defeated McMaster 20-15 in the first semi-final Friday night. Guelph and Queen's met in the season opener on Sept. 2, which the Gryphons won 38-31.

"I think our structure is really starting to come together," said Schell. "It's our title to win back."
 

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Minute	University	Type of Score	Player	Convert	Match Score
7'	Guelph	Try	Emmanuela Jada	Good (Julia Schell)	7-0 Guelph
9'	Guelph	Try	Emily Samek	Good (Julia Schell)	14-0 Guelph
20'	Guelph	Try	Brodie Schmidt	No good	19-0 Guelph
27'	Guelph	Try	Julia Schell	Good (Madison Brattan)	26-0 Guelph
33'	Guelph	Penalty Kick	Chloe Runge		29-0 Guelph
34'	Guelph	Try	Emmanuela Jada	No good	34-0 Guelph
49'	Guelph	Try	Emmanuela Jada	Good (Jasmine Ing)	41-0 Guelph
54'	Guelph	Try	Taylor Durham	Good (Jasmine Ing)	48-0 Guelph

63'

Guelph

Try

Taylor Durham

Good (Jasmine Ing)

55-0 Guelph