Banner Season: Gaels defend Turner Trophy with 48-10 victory over Guelph
Kingston, Ont. - The Queen's Gaels successfully defended their OUA championship title by defeating the Guelph Gryphons 48-10 for their 24th Turner Trophy in program history. The win also caps a perfect 10-0 undefeated season in OUA play for the Tricolour.
Queen's put forth a dominant effort from the opening minutes, controlling the play and pushing the Gryphons defence back on their heels.
The first try of the match came as Dylan Young finished off a strong drive from the Gaels with a short try. He then followed up with a conversion to give Queen's a 7-0 lead.
Minutes later, the Gaels continued to put points up on the board. First, a great powerful driving run from Patrick Lynott set up another short score this time from Ruairidh MacPhail. Nicholas De Lallo then got in on the action with a try of his own and Queen's held a 21-0 lead.
Queen's finished out the half with tries from Joshua Engelbrecht and Trevor Helgason to lead 31-0 at halftime.
Guelph used the break to their advantage as they were able to put down a pair of tries to cut into the Gaels lead at 31-10.
The Tricolour responded as Nicholas De Lallo put down two tries of his own and John Varriano added another for good measure.
The Gaels secured the victory with a 48-10 final and Helgason was named the man of the match.
"Coming into this year we lost some great players and the team really came together early. Today we were really able to get off to a quick start and take control from there." - Patrick Lynott
"The boys have been exceptional again this year. The work rate and the way they've approached training for the matches has been exemplary." - David Butcher, head coach.