Stingers vs. Ravens: Men’s 51-13 win, women’s 45-10 win in rugby

Men’s team pick up their first victory of the season while the women’s squad remains perfect

SportsKieran Mackay — Published September 18, 2023 3 minutes

The men’s squad, who played first in the doubleheader, set the tone early, imposing their will in the scrums and on the edges with bruising runs. Dominating the game physically seemed to be a key point early in the game plan, but it resulted in two penalty kicks for the Ravens, including a yellow card for Stingers’ lock Charlie Moir for delay of game. 

Stingers’ flanker Joe Mabi contributed to the overall physical nature of the game. While he did not score any tries himself, his runs contributed to the success of the team overall. His high-yardage run led to utility-man Philip Hacala’s score after getting stopped close to the try zone.

“[Rugby] is a contact sport, so anything happens,” Mabi stated. “We were just trying to get the ball forward, trying to stay in our set pieces and get the ball moving.”

The penalties led to the Ravens scoring the match’s first points off a penalty kick from full-back Maxwell Magnusson, as he converted one of his two penalty kicks in the game. Stingers’ captain and centre Arthur Du Chaffaut responded with an electric run down the sideline, sparking the Stingers’ offence; They never surrendered the lead again, heading into the second half with a 27-13 advantage over Carleton. 

The Stingers took a more disciplined approach after halftime, which allowed them to expand on their lead. The team came out with plenty of energy, reaching the try zone successfully three times, including two gutsy tries from Stingers’ wing Liam Mansfield.

The women’s squad took the field after the men with already a pair of dominant wins this season. Heading into their match against third-ranked Carleton, women’s rugby interim head coach Craig Beemer emphasized every game’s importance in such a short season.

“We were 0-2 last year against Carleton,” said Beemer, “[The Stingers] definitely had this one marked on the calendar. It’s really not hard to get the players [excited] for a game like this.” 

The women’s staunch defence showed up again against the Ravens, holding their attack in check to the tune of ten points. The women’s defence had the shutout going well into the second half until a penalty kick put Carleton on the board. Coach Beemer talked to the importance of their defence as a crucial part of the Stingers’ gameplan. 

“Just limit [the opponent’s] time, limit options, make good things happen,” said Beemer. “[I’m] happy to see that all the hard work they’re putting in is paying off not just individually, but as a team.”

Stingers’ captain and fly-half Mahalia Robinson was solid again on conversions, nailing five of seven attempted kicks. Stingers’ full-back Madeleine Mctavish and wing Emma Marshall also contributed healthily on offence, scoring a pair of tries each en route to the Stingers’ victory. 

The Stingers’ women’s team will try to keep their undefeated season going at Laval on Saturday, Sept. 23, while the men’s squad suits up again against the École de technologie supérieure Piranhas on the road on Sunday, Sept. 24.