KINGSTON, Ont. - Liam Underwood's 14 points led the Queen's Gaels to a 29-18 victory over the Western Mustangs in the 2012 OUA Men's Rugby Championship at Nixon Field, Sunday. The third-year fly-half from Toronto scored one try, made three conversions and added a penalty goal as he accounted for 14 of the Gaels' 29 points and was named Man of the Match.
 
"Liam is a special talent, he makes plays that few other people in this league can make," said Gaels' head coach Peter Huigenbos.
 
Playing under ideal conditions at newly-renovated Nixon Field, the Gaels got off to an ideal start. Team captain Dan Moor (Toronto, Ont.) charged down a Western kick in the second minute and ran it in from the 22-metre line for the opening try. After Underwood's conversion, the Gaels led 7-0.
 
“We have to thank our alumni for this class playing field that we have, and I'm glad that our team matched that with a class performance,” said Huigenbos. “We thought that we could control this game. We have a tight-knit group that has worked together well.”
 
Western cut the margin to 7-3 on a penalty goal by Mike Turnbull (Oakville, Ont.) in the tenth minute. However, that was as close as the Mustangs got, as ten minutes later Jeff MacDonald (Toronto, Ont.) intercepted a Western pass just on his own side of midfield. Three phases later, Angus MacPhail (Vancouver, B.C.) put the ball down in the end zone, and Underwood's second conversion of the day put the hosts up 14-3.
 
The teams traded penalty goals near the end of the half, as Queen's held a 17-6 lead at the interval.
 
The Gaels extended their lead to 22-6 in the 43rd minute, as Brendan McGovern (Ottawa, Ont.) scored a try that was set up by a long run by Underwood.
 
The Mustangs were given an opening in the 65th minute, as the Gaels' James Dent (Toronto, Ont.) was sent to the sin bin. They took advantage immediately, as Jeremy McCarty (Lindsay, Ont.) scored one minute later, cutting the gap to 22-11. However, the Gaels successfully chewed up the clock during the remainder of their shorthanded time, and put the game away in the 74th minute, as Underwood broke through to score his try. After his conversion, the Gaels were up 29-11, and it was all over bar the shouting.
 
Ade Ojo closed out the scoring for the Mustangs with a try in the 78th minute that was converted by Turnbull, but it was too little, too late, as the Gaels took the Turner Trophy for the 18th time, their first win since 2009.
 
With the win, the Gaels finish 2012 with an overall record of 9-1.
 

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SUMMARY
 
Queen's 29, Western 18
 
WES  6  12 – 18
QUE 17  12 - 29
 
First Half
QUE – Try, Moor (Underwood conversion) 3'
WES – Penalty Goal, Turnbull 10'
QUE – Try, MacPhail (Underwood conversion) 21'
QUE – Penalty Goal, Underwood 32'
WES – Penalty Goal, Turnbull 35'
 
Second Half
QUE – Try, McGovern (conversion failed) 43'
WES – Try, McCarty (conversion failed) 66'
QUE – Try, Underwood (Underwood conversion) 74'
WES – Try, Ojo (Turnbull conversion) 78'
 
Booked: QUE – Dent 65', Sent Off: None.
Attendance at Nixon Field: 450