by Merrick Parnell, Special to the Sounder

On sun-baked fields with lush emerald grass, freshly painted lines and towering uprights, members of the Orcas Island Rugby got their first exposure to the fast paced, hard tackling environment of organized matches while participating in Tacoma’s Subway Summer Sevens Rugby Tournament in July.

The girls of the Orcas Island Rugby Club, which included Staci Lindgren, Shelbi Rogers, Kathryn Tidwell, Alena Janssen and Bailey Johnson, collaborated with Prairie Crush, a rugby team from Yelm, Wash. to take on girls teams from all over the state of Washington.

In the first match, fly-half Shelbi Rogers set the tempo with a huge hit on the opposing player. “I rocked her” said Rogers who had several big tackles on the day. “She surprised me with her hitting, it was great to see,” said Prairie Crush Coach Rhonda Civeletta.

“The tournament helped me get a drive to be the best. I believe that as a team we will improve because we now know what to expect. We know the high of playing and we know the excitement of hitting, so we will practice we a understand and respect that we didn’t have before,” said Johnson.

The players competed in two more additional games, and in each, the team showed more improvement. “It was good for the team to go to,” said Johnson. “It was a bit overwhelming for me. People are very intense and the games move very quickly. Despite this, the tournament was super fun and very upbeat. It showed how real this game is.”

The team hopes to build, interest in rugby on Orcas and one-day field a team of all Islanders to a future tournament. Winger Alena Janssen said that she hopes to raise money for the club and keep playing. “It would be great to represent” Rogers added.

“The girls did amazing! I am so impressed with everything they have accomplished! They showed up to their first tournament ever, and kept their composure through it all!” said Orcas coach Megan Sanders.

At the end of the day the girls finished received 2nd place. “I don’t know what the girls are more excited for, their new bruises or placing in the tournament! I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited for next season!”

The club is still looking for players’ ages, thirteen to nineteen to continue growing the sport on the island. For more info in playing, contact Meagan Sanders at oirugbyclub@hotmail.com.