VICTORIA, B.C. (November 25, 2018) – The Queen's Gaels earned a silver medal in their first ever appearance at the Canadian University Rugby Championship.
 
After defeating the UNB Varsity Reds and Victoria Vikes in pool play, the Gaels competed in their third game in five days as they took on the UBC Thunderbirds in the national championship final. The Gaels fell to the Thunderbirds 21-10 and were awarded the silver medal.

Sunday's match caps off a 2018 campaign that saw the Gaels complete their second undefeated OUA season, win another OUA Championship and medal in the Canadian University Rugby Championship in their debut.
 
GAME FLOW
The Gaels knew they were in for a challenging game against a Thunderbirds team that won the national title in 2017. However, from the start of the match the Gaels showed no fear as they stood toe-to-toe with UBC.
 
After holding their ground defensively, the Gaels were able to move the ball up the field thanks to large runs by Sam Ibbotson and Alex Pipchuk. This eventually set up a goal line effort in the 22^nd minute where the OUA Championship game MVP, Trevor Helgason, muscled his way across the line for the game's opening score.
 
Dylan Young connected on the conversion to give the Gaels a 7-0 lead.
 
Before the end of the half, the Gaels were given a penalty for tackling beyond the ruck setting up a successful penalty kick for the Thunderbirds.
 
At the half, the Gaels lead the defending national champions 7-3.
 
To start the second half, the Thunderbirds moved the ball down the field and were given another penalty kick situation when the Gaels were called for a penalty during a scrum. The kick went through the uprights to trim the Gaels lead to 7-6.
 
Moments later, the Gaels had a penalty situation of their own and were presented with a difficult decision. Instead of choosing to send the ball further down the pitch for better field positioning, Dylan Young attempted a lengthy penalty kick. The Gaels' star scrum half sent a booming kick just over the crossbar and through for an impressive conversion. The Gaels upped their lead to 10-6.
 
However, things began to fall apart from there as the Thunderbirds tacked on two trys and another penalty kick to bring the score out of reach.
 
For the first time in over two years the Gaels lost a match, however with their impressive performance this past week they earned the right to be named one of the top two University rugby programs in Canada.
 
FINAL SAY
"The momentum swung back in their favour once we let their forwards get back into the game," said head coach Dave Butcher. "We knew coming in the game they had a very strong forward pack and you saw it when they executed two driving line outs deep in our half. Those two moments really killed the game for us."
 
GAME MVPs
UBC: #8 Nick Allen, #12 Flynn Heyes
QUE: #1 Pat Lynott, #9 Dylan Young
 
SCORING SUMMARY
                  1       2       F
UBC:         3       18    21
QUE:         7        3     10
 
FIRST HALF
22': QUE Try- #6 Trevor Helgason (Convert Dylan Young) 7-0 QUE
29': UBC Penalty Goal- #9 William McDougall-Percillier 7-3 QUE
 
SECOND HALF
37': UBC Penalty Goal- #9 William McDougall-Percillier 7-6 QUE
41': QUE Penalty Goal- #9 Dylan Young 10-6 QUE
44': UBC Try- #17 Joe Sourisseau (Convert William McDougall-Percillier) 13-10 UBC
49': UBC Try- #15 Cole Keffer (Convert Missed) 18-10 UBC
58': UBC Penalty Goal- #9 William McDougall-Percillier 21-10 UBC
 
CHAMPIONSHIP XV

1. Nick Frost, UBC
2. Connor Sampson, UBC
3. Cali Martinez, UBC
4. James Carson, UBC
5. Nick Carson, UBC
6. Michael Smith, UBC
7. James O'Neill, Victoria
8. Nick Allen, UBC
9. William MacDougall-Percillier, UBC
10. Gradyn Bowd, Victoria
11. Sam Ibbotson, Queen's
12. Charles Debove, Concordia
13. Cully Quirke, Queen's
14. Elias Ergas, UBC
15. Brennig Prevost, Victoria