SUMMERSIDE -
SUMMERSIDE - The host teams are off to impressive starts in the 13th annual David Voye Memorial rugby tournament.
The Three Oaks Axemen shut out the Colonel Gray Colonels 45-0 while the Axewomen posted a 36-0 decision over the Westisle Wolverines on Thursday evening.
"The boys played a strong game," assessed Axemen head coach James Voye. "The 15 (players) on the field played together, and that's what you have to do with rugby. There are 30 kids on the field, and there can be lots of confusion."
With both host teams playing in two-team pools, the Axemen and Axewomen do not see action today. The boys will play a semifinal game Saturday at 9 a.m., with the girls doing the same at 11 a.m.
Two other tournament games were played in Charlottetown on Thursday. The Charlottetown Rural Raiders scored 23 unanswered second-half points en route to a 26-5 victory over the Bluefield Bobcats in girls' action, and the Rural boys topped Bluefield 18-11.
Balanced attack
At Three Oaks Senior High School, the Axemen received trys from six different players - Alex Forrest (2), Matt Rice, Mike MacKinnon, Matthew Lundrigan, Logan Arsenault and Nathan Ferrish.
Ferrish also contributed five converts, and the Axemen jumped out to a 33-0 advantage at the half.
"Our offence was unreal," said Voye. "We didn't really get tested defensively, but I guess that's a good thing. Offensively, they moved the ball really well and were very aggressive."
Girls
Meanwhile, Brittany Clark scored three trys to lead the Axewomen. Shaneigh Brennan, Ashley Wright and Emma Gillis, who also chipped in with three converts, added single trys.
"They played well," said Three Oaks head coach Laura McLean. "There are still some things we need to work on and get some kinks worked out.
"Our Grade 10s played really well and because of injuries they got to play in situations that they normally wouldn't play in."
The Axemen were missing injured backs Katie Clow and Kristine Johnson, and McLean added the team also had some other players sidelined with the flu.
Play in the three-day tournament resumes today at noon. A total of 22 teams - 11 boys and 11 girls - from P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are participating.
jpsports@journalpioneer.com
