Pronghorns rugby can’t rally against Dinos

Some defensive miscues may prove costly for the University Lethbridge Pronghorns rugby team.

The Pronghorns were defeated 41-27 by the defending Canada West championship Calgary Dinos during league play Sunday afternoon in Calgary to fall to 1-4 on the season.

But some early defensive woes that put the Pronghorns behind 29-0 at the half combined with a turnover later in the game that snubbed out a promising drive may affect the Horns in the battle for their playoff lives with one game left in the regular season.

“Our defence was porous for the first half,” said Pronghorns head coach Neil Langevin.

After the Dinos padded ther first half lead, the Horns scored the first try of the second half on a carry from Abigail Duguid.

Calgary added two more tries to move up 41-10, but late tries from Lethbridge’s Karlee Durfey and Sara Cline pulled the Horns a little closer.

“We were re-energized in the second half and scored three second half tries,” said Langevin. “Carolyn McKee and Jill Tataryn had their share of tackles and Abby Neudorf and Genna Wright were busy in the back line.”

The Pronghorns almost added a fourth try, but another defensive lapse denied the scoring chance that may cost them.

“We pressed at the end to scored our fourth try, but a costly turnover denied us a crucial bonus that may be important to the playoff race,” said Langevin. “We’re looking forward to improving our defence when we play the Dinos at home.”

That will take place Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at the University of Lethbridge Stadium.

“I’m proud of our effort and grit in the second half,” said Langevin. “But we have to dig in on defence.”

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