Rugby Sevens captures third title in five seasons

OSHAWA – For the third time since the addition of rugby sevens to the OCAA varsity lineup in 2016, the Humber Hawks are the provincial champions. Playing the undefeated Durham Lords at their field, the Hawks dominated from start to finish to capture the gold medal, 36-14.

Earning a bye into the semifinal round, Humber opened the championship with a 20-12 win over St. Lawrence and the 2021 OCAA Coach of the Year, getting two tries from captain Daniella Grant, and a try from Essence Palmer-McCarthy and Melanie Raymond, each.

The undefeated Lords awaited the Hawks in the finals, as Durham handed Humber its only loss of the season a little over two weeks ago on the same field. Looking for redemption and to remind the conference who is the best program in the OCAA, the Hawks opened the scoring in less than two minutes when Palmer-McCarthy sprinted down the left side of the field, beating four Durham defenders for the try.

Less than a minute later the Hawks forced a turnover and Alicia Hayes unloaded to Sarah Bothen as she was being taken down and Bothen scored the try to give Humber a quick 10-0 lead. The Lords responded with a try to cut Humber's lead to three but was then issued a yellow card on a tackle of Daniella Grant. The ensuing play led to Essence Palmer-McCarthy sprinting the distance of the field as time expired for her second try of the half, and Hayes kick the convert to give Humber the ten-point lead at the break.

Two minutes into the second half, Renee Bowen won a Durham line-out and unloaded to Daniella Grant, who scored her third try of the postseason, while Hayes added on another convert. Still not allowing Durham to cross half, Sarah Bothen secured the victory for the Hawks with less than two minutes remaining. Bowen unloaded to Bothen streaking up the left side, as Humber extended its lead to 22 points.

A penalty by Durham for diving over allowed Grant to do a quick tap-and-go, and the OCAA Player of the Year broke three tackles through the middle to ice the match.

Essence Palmer-McCarthy became the third player in program history to be named the OCAA Championship MVP. Daniella Grant and Alicia Hayes were named to the all-tournament team.

Humber Highlights

• In five seasons, Humber has captured three OCAA titles, two more than any other program.
• Under head coach Dale Essue, the Hawks are now 7-3 all-time in the postseason and 66-9 (.880) overall in OCAA play.
• Daniella Grant becomes the first player in OCAA history to capture three rugby sevens provincial titles.