This is an update on the Budd Bay Bandits season. We apologize to our avid readers for the gap in articles, but this should more than make up for it.
Bandits Vs. Boise, September 25th, Rainier Vista Park
This match was determined a forfeit prior to the first whistle. The Boise team traveled light but after a few Bandits were given to even out the sides the game got started.The Bandits superior fitness showed from the very start and continued throughout the game.Malory Salazar lead off the onslaught with a 5m ball in hand try off a ruck. Many other tries were scored throughout the game with the final tally being Bandits 73 and Boise 0. Among the try scorers were Malory Salazar, Sam Elmore 3), Rachel Rosa (4), Erika DeLeon, Echo Duplessis,Marion Foor, Heather Broxton, and Nicole Haun. Rachel Rosa also made (4) conversion kicks.Excellent fitness and a relentless defense prevented the Boise team from getting anything going
all day.
Bandits Vs. Eugene, October 9th, Rainier Vista Park
This was the Bandits last League Match of the season. And in pure Budd Bay fashion, the Bandits took over and set the tempo for the entire game from the start, scoring many tries off great ball in hand rugby. They set good rucks and recycled ball well, and used their fitness and tackling ability to shellshock the Eugene team. The final score was Bandits 47 and Eugene 0, with the following Bandits scoring tries on the day; Noelia Ragland (2), Malory Salazar (4), Sam Elmore, Echo Duplessis (2), and Rachel Rosa made (1) conversion on the day.
Pacific Coast Championships, October 22nd, Rainier Vista Park
Game 1, Bandits Vs. Eugene
The Bandits started the Pac Coast Championships much like the rest of the games this season.Eugene came out motivated to knock-off the Bandits and make it to the finals. Though, again,the Bandits fitness and relentless defensive attack left few options for the visiting Eugene team.Alex Avery started off the scoring for the Bandits on a great team try, with the ball running through several hands before making it to hers. The Bandits did not let up from there either;another six tries were scored before the final whistle blew. The Eugene women fought hard to get a last ditch 5 points on the board at the end of the second half, leaving the final tally Bandits
37 and Eugene 5.
Among the Bandit try scorers were the following; Alex Avery, Meredith Jordan, Melissa Fritcher,Sam Elmore, and Rachel Rosa. Rachel Rosa also made (1) conversion kick.
Championship Game, Bandits Vs. Sacramento
The Bandits worked hard this year and brought all that hard work to the final match on the day. The Bandits fitness quickly showed to be an issue for the much bigger Sacramento team.The contact on both sides of the ball proved to be a great show with hard tackles and great hits being made all over the pitch. Meredith Jordan started off the scoring for the Bandits sneaking in after a scrum 5m out. Rachel Rosa missed the conversion and left the score 5 to 0.A bit later in the first half Michelle Jordan scored off a scrum 5m out, busting through several Sacramento tacklers. Rachel Rosa made the conversion and brought the score to 12-0 Bandits
to close out the half.
The second half started much like the first, with the much fitter Bandit side running right at the Sacramento team with no signs of letting up or that they were ahead on the scoreboard. The Sacramento side looked to have some life when a hard run to the outside was dotted down in the corner of the try zone, followed by a successful conversion leaving the score Bandits 12 and Sacramento 7. Though, not too much later the relentless Bandits came back with Malory Salazar scoring a hard fought try, running through many of the Sacramento players to get to the try zone. Rachel Rosa followed suit with a converted kick to make the score Bandits 19
Sacramento 7. It was a gritty and tough fought final minutes from both teams, with Rachel Rosa scoring one final try for the Bandits in the final minutes of the match, making the final tally Bandits 24 and Sacramento 7.
The Bandits had a perfect League Season, won the Pacific Northwest DII Championship, and now the Pacific Coast Championship; making the Bandits one of the top 8) Women’s DII teams in the Nation. They will compete in Mesa, AZ on the 13th and 14th of November for the National Championships. Go Bandits!! Go Budd Bay!!!
