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Revenge match for Blues

Paul Kane Blues battle Harry Ainlay Titans in Monday's rematch of last year's metro Edmonton division two women's rugby final
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PASS PLAY – Ayana Blackwell distributes the ball upon impact by Angeline Sturko of the Harry Ainlay Titans in the 29-5 win by the Paul Kane Blues in league play May 7. Thursday's rematch of the 2018 metro Edmonton division two final between Paul Kane (6-0) and the Titans (4-2) was postponed because of severe air quality conditions and it will be played Monday at 3:45 p.m. at Ellerslie Rugby Park. Last year the Titans beat Paul Kane 27-12 for the championship. DAN RIEDLHUBER/St. Albert Gazette

It’s looking a lot like 2014 all over again for the Paul Kane Blues in metro Edmonton women’s rugby.

Paul Kane can duplicate its first undefeated season since the championship banner celebration five years ago in Monday’s final against the Harry Ainlay Titans.

The rematch of the 2018 playoff kicks off at 3:45 p.m. at Ellerslie Rugby Park.

Last year’s 27-12 loss to Ainlay marked the third year in a row Paul Kane finished second best after its semifinal exit in 2015.

The final was slated to be played Thursday, but severe air quality conditions forced metro league officials to reschedule all the women’s and men’s championship matches.

“Lots of heart and desire in this crew to see it through for a gold medal banner this year,” said head coach Marty McKeever. “It would be some sweet icing on the cake for sure, especially for the Grade 12s who have narrowly missed gold the past two years."

Paul Kane’s 6-0 record includes the 29-5 decision against Ainlay (4-2) May 7.

“That win was huge as we had not beat Harry Ainlay since we won our last banner against them in 2014 so it was a long time coming,” McKeever said of the come-from-behind 36-24 win for the first banner since 2008 and the sixth in Paul Kane history in women's rugby.

Last year Paul Kane finished 5-2 and Ainley was 6-0.

The 38-player Paul Kane roster features a dozen Grade 12s, as well as four additions from the St. Albert Catholic High School: Julia Baniak, Elise Fredrickson, Karis Heigh and Michaela Regimbald.

“This group is loaded with character. They are a joy to behold each time they take the field and no matter the result they just plain do PK proud and represent with class,” McKeever said.

“Every available and healthy athlete played in every game this season for at least a quarter of time, including Tuesday’s semifinal (96-5 rout of the Archbishop Jordan Scots). We truly had a team victory kind of season,” McKeever added. “In the final, it might be slightly different, but the experience everyone gained will definitely help us moving forward.”

Paul Kane marches into the final averaging 47.3 points scored and 13.6 against, compared to the Ainlay’s 36.5 for and 20.8 against.

Mackenzie Robertson, a Grade 11 flanker and hooker, and Ainsley Maxwell, a rookie centre and conversion kicker, have scored in every match.

Robertson’s four tries did the most damage in the 56-10 drubbing of the W.P. Wagner Warriors (0-5) in the last match before the playoffs.

Alea Freeman, a Grade 11 scrumhalf, has been picture-perfect quarterbacking the offence with impeccable leadership skills and often leads the charge with aggressive pick and go balls off rucks.

Calleigh-Ann Woodworth, a Grade 12 centre, is noted for her thunderous tackles that have created countless turnovers.

In the semifinals, Ainlay defeated the Memorial Marauders (4-2) of Stony Plain 36-27, while Paul Kane rolled up leads of 36-0 after the first quarter, 46-0 at halftime and 89-0 after three quarters against the Scots (2-4).

“At the half, there must have been something with the water as the PK girls just kept coming,” McKeever said. ”We made several changes to get everyone in on the action, but the personnel changes didn’t damper the drive.”

SCRUM BALLS: The Sturgeon Spirits are also playing for banners Monday in division one women against the Jasper Place Rebels (7-0) and division two men against the Scots (5-1). Kickoff times are 4 p.m. for the men and 4:15 p.m. for the women.

The last time Sturgeon swept the men’s and women’s championship finals was 2017 as division two teams.

In the men’s division, Sturgeon’s 6-0 record includes wins of 40-29 against the Scots in league play and 52-14 against the St. Francis Xavier Rams (2-4) in the semifinals.

The lady Spirits, last year’s division one finalists and Tier 2 provincial champions, are 5-2 with the season-opening 46-22 loss to the Rebels and 39-22 victory over the Bellerose Bulldogs (4-3) in the semifinals. The Spirits also defeated Bellerose 48-12 to close out the regular season.

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