MARKHAM, Ont. (November 14, 2009) - The Queen's Gaels men's rugby team capped their perfect season with a win over the Western Mustangs in the OUA Championship Saturday afternoon.
The Gaels managed to hold on through five minutes of intense goal-line pressure to claim the 23-19 decision.
Western opened the scoring while one man down with a try from centre Marcus Mitchell of Ancaster, Ont. Wing Matthew Barrett of Lindsay, Ont., added one of his two conversions on the day for a quick 7-0 lead.
Gaels' winger
Scott Kyle of Singapore brought the Tricolour to within striking distance with a try in the 19th minute, created by a tremendous run from centre
Chris Barrett of Vancouver, B.C.
Less than ten minutes later Mustangs centre Connor Trainor of Vancouver B.C., notched his side's second try.
It looked as if the Gaels would go into the half trailing by nine points when winger
Zach Pancer of Unionville, Ont., scored a try in injury time to bring Queen's to within four.
The Mustangs came out swinging in the second half, and got on the board within five minutes of the opening kick with a try from fullback Matthew McLeod of Lindsay, Ont. The Gaels responded, though, within a penalty goal from lock
Ryan Kruyne of Dunrobin, Ont., bringing Queen's to within a try for the tie.
The penalty kick seemed to add life to a flat Gaels offence, and they responded with a try in the 17th minute from eight-man
Pat Richardson of Vancouver, B.C., again scored after a 45-yard run from Barrett, bringing the Gaels to within one point at 19-18.
Barrett finally capped off his exceptional game halfway through the second half when he broke two Mustang tackles to score the Gaels' third try of the day, putting them in front by four points.
Less than a try behind, the Mustangs spent the rest of the game, down to the final whistle, applying pressure to the Gaels' defense, but they wouldn't break and held the scoreline in their advantage.
The win marks the first finals win for the Gaels in three straight attempts, and is the school's 18th championship. Queen's last OUA title came in 2001 when the Gaels topped Western 25-19. The Gaels were also perfect that season as well.
