Rugby beats defending champs

A hot Saturday afternoon at Kingston Field was the setting for the men’s Golden Gaels rugby win over the OUA defending champion McMaster Marauders.

From the opening kick to the final whistle, the Gaels dominated the play.

Queen’s took a 19-0 lead at the 13-minute mark with tries from Alistair Clark, Colin Alexander and Colin Frenke.

McMaster responded at the 31-minute mark of the first half by scoring their only try. Marauders kicker Jeff McDiarmid kicked the conversion and later kicked a penalty goal to account for McMaster’s other five points.

Ex-Marauder Steve Shortly picked up a try for the Gaels late in the first half to send Queen’s into the break with a 26-10 lead.

The second half was reminiscent of the first as Queen’s continued to carry the play, and pick apart the McMaster defence for long runs. As the second half advanced, an unfocused McMaster squad got progressively worse, losing their cool on numerous occasions.

Sean Duke of Queen’s scored the second half’s only try.

Queen’s kicker Bryn Davies was good on three of five conversion kicks, including a difficult kick from a tough angle on the sideline.

Gaels head coach Peter Huigenbos said he was proud of his team’s play.

“All the credit goes to the 23 guys who stepped onto the field,” he said. “They did exactly what we wanted them to do, I’m really proud of the way the boys played.” Gaels’ captain James Potter had an outstanding game, making several bone-jarring tackles and running the ball deep into the McMaster defence on several occasions.

“[Potter] really set the tone for the game,” Huigenbos said. “He was under McMaster’s skin all day.” The Gaels now carry a 3-0 record and remain in first place in the OUA’s East Division. Queen’s next match is Oct. 5 at second-place Brock University. Brock defeated the Gaels in last year’s OUA bronze medal game.

The women’s rugby squad also won their away game, beating the Toronto Varsity Blues 20-5.

Queen’s only points in the first half came off a great individual effort by Lauren Young, when she blocked a kick off a line-out and ran the ball in for a try.

With the Varsity Blues also scoring a try, the first half closed out with the two teams tied at five. Three more tries in the second half from Christine Wadsworth, Rosemin Labreche and Laura Cooney rounded out the scoring.

The Gaels’ last try came off a well executed play in which the ball was worked outside to winger Labreche, who finished off a nice run by touching the ball down for the try. Head coach Beth Barz wasn’t impressed with the way her Gaels began the game.

“It took 40 minutes to find ourselves,” she said. “We need to have intensity right out of the blocks.” Queen’s improved their record to 3-0, and still sits in first place in the division. Heading into next weekend Barz believes her team still has room to grow, citing consistency and fundamentals as two areas needing improvement.

The Gaels play at home against the Guelph Gryphons next Saturday at 1 p.m.