The Chicago Women’s Rugby Football Club notched a memorable 23-8 victory over crosstown rivals Chicago North Shore Saturday.

Led by some outstanding running from No. 8 Leslie Johnson and with flyhalf Esther Anderson on song with her goalkicking, Chicago played a solid team game based on the classics – hard rucking from the forwards and quick ball to the outside backs. 

Captain of the Chicago Force gridiron team, Darcy Leslie, deadly at wing, scoring two tries.

The two teams battled in a tight clash in the early going. Anderson slotted two penalty goals, one at 20 minutes and another 12 minutes later, to stake Chicago to a 6-0 lead. North Shore replied with a penalty just at the stroke of halftime to cut the lead to 6-3.

North Shore took the lead ten minutes into the second half with a try to make it 8-6. But after that, Chicago’s smaller but more mobile pack and their speedy backs took over.

Leslie scored a try, with Anderson’s conversion making it 13-8 Chicago, and then wing Martha Dove scored to extend the lead to 18-8. Leslie’s second sealed the game at 23-8. 

Chicago’s conditioning paid off as they were able to work the phases deep into the game, and forced North Shore to commit penalties.

Chicago moves to 1-0 in their Women’s DI Competitive Region 2 league, while North Shore drops to 0-1.

Chicago and North Shore’s B sides battled to a 10-10 tie.

Also in Women DI CR2 action, the St. Louis Sabres shut out the visiting Denver Black Ice 29-0, paced by a try and two conversions from Ann Marie Russell. Pacale Guiton also scored for the Sabres as they now lead the league with five points (using the Bonus Points system).