Gee-Gees rally to snap 13-year, 21-game losing streak to McGill

OTTAWA -- First-year centre-wing Natasha Watcham-Roy scored twice as Ottawa rallied with four tries over the final 19 minutes and came away with a 24-5 upset over visiting McGill to open the Quebec university women's rugby season, Saturday. It ended McGill's 21-game win streak over the Gee-Gees, dating back to a 12-10 Ottawa win in 1996.

"We're all in a state of shock right now," said McGill head coach Vince de Grandpre. "We seemed to be in total control of the game and don't quite know what happened but full marks to Ottawa for an inspired comeback"

The Martlets led 5-0 at the half after sophomore fly-half Brianna Gibson of Westmount, Que., scored an unconverted try at the 28-minute mark.

Watcham-Roy, a Quebec provincial team player from Gatineau, Que., notched her first try at the 21-minute mark of the second-half and followed up with a another 13 minutes later to give the Gee-Gees a 17-5 lead.

Sophomore Jocelyn Block and junior Alison McKittrick also scored second-half tries. They were converted by Chloe Seidner and Elodie Lebeau, respectively.

"They have the character to dig in," said Gee-Gees head coach Sue Chaulk. "They seem to have figured out how to finish."

Ottawa (1-0) visits Bishop's on Sept. 18, while McGill (0-1) plays host to Laval on Sept. 20 at 11 am.