For the first time in program history, the Thunderbirds have advanced to the U SPORTS gold medal game, after earning a rain-soaked 47-17 victory over the Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Both teams had to the battle the elements on a very wet Friday morning in Charlottetown, but that didn't stop there being plenty of scoring throughout the game. Charity Williams and Adia Pye both struck twice for UBC to lead the blue and gold attack.

It was Williams who opened the scoring in the 9th minute, receiving the ball from a falling Rachel Smith and blitzing past several defenders on a big solo run. The convert was made by Savannah Bauder, the first of four successful kicks from her on the night.



The T-Birds then doubled their lead just a few minutes later, after an overload on the left side. Pye showcased her incredible top end speed, leaving no chance for help to rotate over as she cruised in for the score.

The Gee-Gees weren't going to just roll over though, and they struck back with a try of their own in the 18th minute. There was no more scoring in the first half, as both teams dug in and battled hard in the midfield area.

While UBC entered the break with a somewhat slim lead at 14-5, they quickly blew the game open in the second half. Once again it was Williams and Pye with tries in quick succession, as another fantastic solo play by Williams was followed soon after by a display of quick, precise passes that left Pye with a lane to slide into the corner of the try zone.
 

Perfect pass! ?? Adia Pye with a stunning setup for @ubctbirds to score her second try. Pure teamwork on display!

Une passe parfaite ! ?? Adia Pye prépare une percée pour @ubctbirds et marque également son second essai. Du travail d'équipe à l'état pur.#ChaseTheGlory |… pic.twitter.com/P8xe6EG5WM

— U SPORTS Rugby (@USPORTS_Rugby) November 1, 2024

Ottawa again got one back in the 43rd, but it took just five minutes before the Thunderbirds cancelled it out with a penalty try drawn by Florence Symonds. The T-Birds added another score in the 53rd, when Teya Ashworth caught a Gee-Gees kick and surprised the Ontario side by sprinting forward herself and splitting the defensive lines. She then dished it to Kiki Idowu who ran in untouched for the try.

The two teams each tallied one more try before the final whistle blew, with Lana Dueck scoring the insurance marker for UBC with just a couple minutes left on the clock.



With the win, the Thunderbirds are guaranteed to have the program's best-ever finish at nationals. They will play the Victoria Vikes in the gold medal game, which begins at 11:00 a.m. (PT) on Sunday, November 3rd.

This will be the fourth meeting of the season between the T-Birds and Vikes, after they split their two regular season games and UBC defeated UVic to win the Canada West Championship just two weeks ago.
 
 
SCORING SUMMARY
              1     2     F
UBC     14   33   47
OTT       5    12   17
 
9' – UBC Try – #14 Charity Williams (#10 Savannah Bauder convert) 7-0 UBC
12' – UBC Try – #11 Adia Pye (#10 Bauder convert) 14-0 UBC
18' – OTT Try - #2 Emma Wade (#12 Victoria Hough convert missed) 14-5 UBC
HALF
37' – UBC Try – #14 Williams (#10 Bauder convert) 21-5 UBC
39' – UBC Try – #11 Pye (#10 Bauder convert missed) 26-5 UBC
43' – OTT Try – #1 Sophie McDonald (#12 Hough convert) 26-12 UBC
48' – UBC Try – Penalty try (no convert) 33-12 UBC
53' – UBC Try – #1 Kiki Idowu (#10 Bauder convert) 40-12 UBC
59' – OTT Try – #8 Anna Dodge (#12 Hough convert missed) 40-17 UBC
68' – UBC Try – #24 Lana Dueck (#22 Brooklyn Roddham convert) 47-17 UBC