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Warriors claim second straight rugby title he Waterloo Warriors I women‘s rugby team passed the old ticker test on the weekend, winâ€" ning their second consecuâ€" tive Ontario University title in a heartâ€"pounding 13â€"10 win _ over the â€" Guelph Gryphons. Eric Ciezar, head coach of the women Warriors, said there wasn‘t much to sepaâ€" rate the two squads except for the heart his club disâ€" played in outlasting the Gryphons, a perrennial power in the league, on their home turf. He looked on with bated breath as the Warriors sufâ€" fered major injuries to flyâ€" half Kate Longpre and veterâ€" an fullback Kristi Heemskerk early in the game, limiting the options of the Warriors attack. Winter Fair a picture perfect ending to career And when centre Sara Escobar was sent off for 10 minutes for a late hit, the coach, now in his fifth year with the program, wondered if his defence would be able Throw in a little adversity, add a sense of immediacy and wait until the heroine overcomes those obstacles to close with a happy ending. spiring . film â€" student A\my Bastow knows a ense of drama is essential to good story telling. The KC] OAC student soon found that some of that narâ€" rative applied to her own showâ€"jumping career. What started as a passion for ponies as a sevenâ€"yearâ€" old, developed into pursuit for what seemed unattainâ€" able only two short years ago â€" a berth at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, the grandâ€"daddy of all Canadian horse shows. She was so confident that she would make it to the Winter Fair in Toronto one tn‘z soas Serauty Ovm SAMARA FOOLS & SPAS 490 Weber St. N., Waterloo Phone 884â€"5295 _ Fax 884â€"8641 By BoB VRBANAC By BoB VRBANAC Chronicle Staff Chronicle Staff ce it to the _ And time was running out, she would finally qualify for Amy Bastow and her horse Westside completed a fairyâ€"tale season by qualifying for the Toronto one _ with the 18â€"yearâ€"old entering Continued on page 22 _ ROY3al Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto this weekend. _ pugro courtesy or cary ranan srormnc mace to hoid out against a determined Gry p ho ns squad. But the W a rr d o r s showed some of the resolve that _ helped them _ clinch their first OUA title last year, after being league doorâ€" mats in previâ€" ous _ seasons, and held off the Gryphons to repeat as Ciezar said the size of the team‘s _ heart _ The Warric proved to be _ Saturday a the difference for the Warriors over the last two years, with a group of determined women who refuse to settle for anything less than a national championship berth in Ottawa this weekâ€" end. champs. day that she made a deal with her mom. If she ever made it to the crowning jewel of her jumping career, her family would rent her a room at the But the prospects weren‘t good as Bastow never seemed to make the right connection with any of the horses she Roval York. Amy Bastow The Warriors‘ Kristi Heemskerk breaks free from the grasp of a Guelph Gryphon tackler Saturday at the OUA finals. The Warriors won the contest 13â€"10. "This year we‘re trying to take one step up," said Ciezar, who also played varâ€" sity rugby for the Warriors men‘s team. "We want to make it to the national finals." The Warriors qualified for her last couple of years of amateur competitive riding in the Junior Hunter division. But her fortunes changed last year when she met an irascible _ horse _ named Westside. The temperamental mount was a test for any rider who climbed on his back. But the two freeâ€"spirits started warming to each other by the end of the season. "Many people have tried to ride him, but it turned out 1 was the only person who could ride him," said Bastow. "We just got along." And the same proved to be true for Bastow early in the season. And a strong showing at the end of the season, with a win at the Bell Mobility Hunter Classic Finals in Palgrave, gave her hope that she would finally qualify for Continued on page 22 SPORTS their first national finals last year, finishing third in the nation in their first go around at the champiâ€" onship. Ciezar said the team has the potential to bring home a national title, depending WED BEKAVAC HOTO Saturday against Gueliph. "We‘re not sure if we‘ve lost Longpre yet," said Ciezar. "We expect her to play at least one game. "Heemskerk should be ready to go with Longpre and Heemskerk respond â€" to their injuries. Longpre is responsible for most of the Warriors‘ game, and is an important link player in the offence. Heemskerk is a bull of a player â€" that terrorizes defences with her determined Her _ leg injury limitâ€" ed some of the Warriors‘ quickâ€"strike capability ‘IY; U& Never End: o e ul‘ it * _ Sat 9â€"6; Sun 1146 181 King St. S., Waterioo some quick rehab." That‘s where the rest of 5 the team‘s mettle will be testâ€" 5 ed said Ciezar. 2 But he thinks that his squad still has enough depth to challenge at the nationals. "We do have good depth," said Ciezar. "That‘s one thing that will hold at nationals. "We have some key playâ€" ers injured, but hopefully we have enough depth to perâ€" form well there." The Warriors earned a top seed at the upcoming chamâ€" pionship with their win over Guelph. The Gryphons opened the scoring on the Warriors on a controversial try after a missed offside call. They extended that lead five minutes later with another long run to make it 10â€"0. Down, but not out, the Warriors gutted out a comeâ€" fromâ€"behind win with a late try in the first half. The Warriors tied it on a Longpre try at the 18â€"minute mark, before a Kerri Webb penalty kick decided the contest. 7 DAYS A WEEK BEER STORE