(Kingston, Ont.) – The Guelph Gryphons defeated the Queen's Gaels 32-23 to win the OUA Women's Rugby Championship Saturday at Nixon Field.

Queen's held the lead for most of the first half before Talia Hoffman (Stoney Creek, Ont.) and Hannah Beaumont (Hillsburgh, Ont.) scored back-to-back tries within three minutes to give the Gryphons a 15-13 lead heading into half time.

After the Gaels retook the lead on a Maggie Banks (Coquitlam, B.C.) try early in the second half, Guelph scored three straight tries to build a 14-point lead. Queen's would get one back but it wasn't enough as the Gryphons held on for a nine-point win to capture the OUA Championship.

Hoffman led Guelph with two tries in the championship win with Amara Cavadias (Colborne, Ont.), Aliesha Lewis (Guelph, Ont.), and Maddie Gundy (Guelph, Ont.) also scoring tries for the Gryphons. Kendra Cousineau (Port Colborne, Ont.) added a convert for Guelph in the win.

Along with Banks, Jaden Walker (Oakville, Ont.) and Riley Rewakoski (Uxbridge, Ont.) scored tries for the Gaels. Amelia Stapley (Caledon, Ont.) added three converts for Queen's in the loss.

Guelph will be back in Kingston for the U SPORTS Women's Rugby Championship from Nov. 10-14, looking to add to their OUA Championship. Queen's will also compete in the U SPORTS Women's Championship as hosts and OUA finalists.